August Report - KRG continues direct oil export despite sabotage attempt on pipeline
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - In August, direct oil export from Kurdistan Region continued despite sabotage and attempted theft on the export pipeline inside Turkey borders, which occurred on 27 July and extended to the first week of August.
According to the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, Ministry of Natural Resources Oil Export Report, in August Kurdistan Region has exported 14,657,798 barrels of crude oil, an average of 472,832 bpd, through the Kurdistan pipeline network to the port of Ceyhan in Turkey. This is an 8.5 per cent decline comparing to 16,019,090 barrels which were exported in July.
The decline, according to the report, was due to nine days of downtime for the export pipeline which mostly occurred at the beginning of the month.
Of the exported amount, fields operated by the KRG contributed 10,958,817 barrels, an average of 353,510 bpd, while fields operated by the North Oil Company, NOC, contributed 3,698,981 barrels, an average of 119,322 bpd.
In August, the Kurdistan Regional Government delivered a total of 1,579,004 barrels, an average of 50,936 bpd, to the Iraqi State Oil Marketing Company, SOMO.
The monthly export report said that in August, the KRG “continued its direct oil sales in Ceyhan to compensate the Region for the budget shortfalls from the federal government in Baghdad and to continue to pay down debts accumulated in 2014 from pre-payments for direct oil sales” the report highlighted.”
Last week, KRG Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed that the Kurdistan Regional Council for Oil and Gas Affairs expects the first tranche of regular payments to the producing IOCs to be made available during the first half of September 2015.
In an earlier statement by KRG ministry of Natural Resources it was urged that as oil export is expected to rise in early 2016, the KRG envisages making additional revenue available to the IOCs to enable them to begin to catch up on the past receivables due under their production sharing contracts.
Prime Minister Barzani stresses the importance of reforms
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - In the presence of representatives of the diplomatic missions and a number of Kurdistan members of parliament and ministers, the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, opened the ceremony of launching the electronic social protection network system, initiated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
In a speech he made, Prime Minister Barzani, described the Ministry’s project as part of a broader reform policy, which the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, plans to implement.
He said, “The KRG insists on continuing the reform process because it believes meaningful reform is important to successfully meet the difficult challenges we face. It is about enhancing efforts toward justice and providing more efficient and effective services to our citizens.”
Following is the text of the speech:
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished guests,
Good morning and welcome,
It is my pleasure to participate with you all in the commencement ceremony of an important project that has great value for the Kurdistan Regional Government. This is yet another step by the KRG to strengthen the government’s reform efforts, notably its administrative system.
This is a step towards establishing a fair, effective system pertaining to salaries, allowances, and financial assistance. To a great extent, it will diminish the possibility of taking undue advantage of the government’s payroll system. This system will greatly facilitate the administration of matters to better serve our citizens.
The idea of developing the current social protection network into an efficient, effective electronic system is not new to the KRG. The government has been preparing and developing this project for some time. I take this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr. Muhammed Hawdiani, for making this project a priority and bringing it to a stage ready for implementation.
The implementation of this project enables all departments in the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to be linked directly to the Ministry’s Diwan. This is intended to enable the Ministry to carry out tasks in an easy and smooth manner. On the one hand, this will strengthen the social protection system; on the other hand, it is a practical step towards combating corruption.
I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Planning, and the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, for their cooperation and team work in developing this important system. We look forward to other KRG ministries and offices successfully adopting and applying key features of this project.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Kurdistan Regional Government is making concerted efforts to conduct important reforms in all sectors by taking advantage of modern systems, cutting-edge technologies, innovative knowledge and expertise in order to reorganize the working of our government. The intention is to bring our administrative and service systems up to levels that are efficient, effective, which meet international standards.
Step by step, taking into consideration our resources and capabilities, we will continue to make necessary reforms in all fields. We have a strong will to make reforms and we will continue to do so. We say we will do it step by step because we believe that for reform to be done effectively it needs to be done carefully, with patience and perseverance. We will do reforms in accordance with thoughtful planning and carefully designed programs, not by impulsive action.
Reform is not an isolated process independent of other principles and interactions. Reform is a broad and long-term process that relates to many factors. It cannot be seen and realized as a mere decision of the prime minister or the council of ministers to do reform!
That is why this process is not as simple as reading it in a newspaper article. It is a process that needs a strong will to make it happen. It needs patience and perseverance until it provides expected results. It is a process that needs short, medium, and long term plans. Such is the project implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. It is anticipated to have positive impact in the near future on our reform efforts by insuring justice for disabled persons seeking benefits from our social protection system.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Taking practical reform steps during this time when we fight terrorism and face severe political, economic, and financial challenges has only one meaning, which is that the KRG insists on continuing the reform process because it believes meaningful reform is important to successfully meet the difficult challenges we face. It is about enhancing efforts toward justice and providing more efficient and effective services to our citizens.
Reform is a priority on the government’s agenda. All KRG ministers are making reform efforts and many have made good progress. In early 2014 when disagreements with Baghdad over budget and other issues began, the KRG took practical steps to reduce expenditure and increase income. I certainly believe that Kurdistan’s citizens in the near future will see more results of the reforms.
I also want to reiterate that this step by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is one of the initial steps of the KRG in the reform process. In the near future the KRG will announce greater steps in this regard.
Again, I thank the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Minister. I wish them continued success.
Thank you and Welcome again.
Nazem Dabbagh in a Round Table with expert of Middle East Issues, in the title of decoding and evaluation of Turkey invasion to ISIS and P.K.K/ Erdoghan’s Game role by ISIS card
Nazem Dabbag, the representative of Kurdistan Regional Government in Iran in a round table with Bahram Amir-Ahmadian, researcher of Turkey Issues, and Mehdi Motahhar-Nia, expert and Futurist, analyzed Racep Tayyip Erdoghan’ new policy in fighting ISIS and P.K.K of which main points followed:
In the answer to the question about the cause of Turkey’s fighting against ISIS and P.K.K Dabbagh told: in my view, Turkey's invasion of ISIS and P.K.K, Suicide Terrorism of Suruc and Turkey’ reaction to that terrorist attack was a scenario as a whole. After being unsuccessful in his regional policy against Syria and establishing Ottoman Empire, Turkey wanted going to regional changing in a new manner, since if it had not had active role in the region, it would have omitted. The second issue was the current election of Turkey. The cabinet now being forced in Turkey conceived if election repeats, by missions against P.K.K and ISIS, it is able to re-obtain all votes that it has lost as a result of the political problems and ISIS in Iraq.
Dabbagh mentioned about the duties of regional states in this critical situation. He stated: everyone looks at this situation in lens of his benefits. I, as a Kurd, always tell that Kurds should be aware that not going to the core of states contests. I currently in an interview notified that land of Kurds as an Arian race has been Iran. Hence, Iraqi Kurds and Iran could be strategic allies. Without accusation to the turkey to assist ISIS, Dabbagh stated that assistances to the ISIS dispatch by land and the solely land road for helping ISIS is Turkey.
Dabbagh, in continue, added: in the regional changing US has win much more than other. In my point of view ISIS would not be obliterated. It will get weak but remain. For the ground making it exists in the region and, so, as long as these grounds would not obliterate, ISIS will be alive. The religious, social, economic and even cultural ground for growth of ISIS has stayed alive.
Ultimately, Dabbagh said: the last issue I want to mention it is that the enemy of Kurdish movement created ISIS, because of this, in the first days that ISIS occupied Mosul, I had a media interview and told that this accident made Kurd and Iraq allied. But I warned that whether ISIS could occupy Baghdad or not, it would assault to Kurdistan Region.
Minister Falah Mustafa receives Norwegian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense
Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of KRG Foreign Relations today discussed bilateral ties and recent developments with the Norwegian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense.
Minister Mustafa thanked both Ministers for visiting the Kurdistan Region and expressed the gratitude of the people of Kurdistan Region for Norway’s continued humanitarian and military support.
“We view Norway as a partner and we want to establish a long term partnership with the Government of Norway. The KRG desires to broaden ties with the Government of Norway in the fields of economy, culture, energy, education and capacity building,” Minister Mustafa added.
Børge Brende, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, highly spoke of the role of Kurdistan Region in dealing with the humanitarian and security challenges facing Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Minister Brende said, “Fighting terrorism and caring for refugees and displaced people is a global challenge. Members of the international community have a shared responsibility to support KRG.”
The Minister announced that the government of Norway recently donated $13 million in humanitarian assistance to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and stressed that “The Kurdistan Region can count on the support of Norway”.
Both Ministers exchanged views on the preparation of the opening of the Norwegian representation office in Kurdistan. Minister Brende stated, “Norway is committed to establish a long term partnership with the Kurdistan Region.”
Eriksen Søreide, Minister of Defense of Norway, highlighted the bravery of Peshmerga forces in the fight against international terrorism and reiterated the commitment of the government of Norway to continue its military support to Peshmergas.
Outgoing EU Ambassador to Iraq bids farewell to Kurdistan Region
Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – The Outgoing Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Iraq, Ms. Jana Hybaskova, today visited the KRG Department of Foreign Relations to bid farewell and to introduce the first Head of EU Delegation Liaison Office in Erbil, Mr. Patrick Geysen.
On behalf of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Minister Falah Mustafa expressed his full appreciation for the role of Ambassador Hybaskova in the opening of the EU Liaison Office in Erbil.
Minister Mustafa stated, “Your active engagement during your tenure have laid the foundations for collaboration in many areas, and the KRG applauds your contribution.”
The Minister congratulated Mr. Geysen on his appointment and assured him of the support and assistance of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations to ensure the success of his mission in Kurdistan Region.
Ambassador Hybaskova thanked the KRG, in particular the Department of Foreign Relations for their assistance to the EU mission in Iraq and stressed that the opening of the EU office in Erbil provides a great opportunity to further consolidate EU-KRG cooperation and partnership in all fields.
Prime Minister Barzani receives Norwegian Defense and Foreign Ministers
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the Norwegian Defense Minister, Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide, and Foreign Minister Børge Brende, and their accompanying delegation.
The meeting was also attended by the Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, Mustafa Sayed Qadir and other Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, senior officials.
Norwegian Foreign Minister praised the people and government of the Kurdistan Region for having accommodated and assisted a large number of internally displaced people, IDPs, and refuges, who fled violent repressions of the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region.
Mr. Brende also praised the role of the Peshmerga forces in protecting the Region against ISIS.
Norwegian Defense Minister reiterated her country’s support to the Peshmerga forces particularly in the fields of military training, expressing her satisfaction for the progress that has been made in the training plan of the Peshmerga forces.
Prime Minister Barzani expressed the gratitude of the Kurdistan people and government to the Norwegian government for its assistance to the Kurdistan Region at this difficult time.
Prime Minster Barzani urged the Norwegian government and international community to increase their humanitarian assistance to Kurdistan Region in order to be able to face the humanitarian crisis which it currently experiences as the result of the fight against terrorism.
He also asked for the continuation of Norwegian support for the Peshmerga forces.
The two sides also discussed the recent developments in the region and the relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraqi Federal Government.
Diplomats commend democratic process in Kurdistan Region
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (dfr.gov.krd) - The Chief of Staff to the Kurdistan Region President, Dr Fuad Hussein, and the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, today briefed diplomats and representatives of international organizations on the latest security, humanitarian and political developments.
Minister Mustafa thanked diplomats for attending the session and for their confidence in the stability and security of the Kurdistan Region. He gave an overview of the security, humanitarian and political developments in the Kurdistan Region.
The Minister expressed appreciation of the people of Kurdistan Region to the members of the Counter-ISIS Coalition for supporting Kurdistan Region in the fight against international terrorism. He also thanked members of the international community, UN agencies and international organizations for providing humanitarian assistance to the refugees and displaced people who have fled to the safety of the Kurdistan Region.
Dr. Fuad Hussein, Chief of Staff to the President, briefed the diplomats on the political and legal challenges facing the issue of the presidency of Kurdistan Region. He announced “We are taking the legal and political challenges pertaining to the issue of presidency very seriously. The five major political parties are engaged in lengthy negotiations to reach a consensus on that matter.”
“We are a democracy in the making. Our political parties have chosen to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation. We consider this as a very positive development in the democratic process of the Kurdistan Region,” the Chief of Staff to the President added.
During the meeting several diplomats reiterated their support for the Kurdistan Region and praised democratic maturity of Kurdish political parties.
On behalf of the diplomatic corps, the Consul General of Palestine, who serves as the dean of the diplomats, Nazmi Hazouri, thanked the DFR for the briefing and highlighted the importance of a united and strong Kurdistan Region for the regional peace and stability.
Consul General of the Republic of France, Alain Guépratte, conveyed “The French authorities are closely monitoring developments in the Kurdistan Region. We have confidence in the Kurdistan Region and we fully support the region’s effort to overcome the current challenges. We believe that the political parties will be able to reach a consensus on the issue of the presidency of the Kurdistan Region.”
Head of the Consular office of the Republic of Italy, Carmelo Ficarra, stated, “Italy shares the same sentiment of France towards Kurdistan Region. Italy believes in the stability and security of the Kurdistan Region and it will continue to support the region in all fronts.”
Head of the UNAMI Regional Office in Erbil, Sokol Kondi, expressed the support of the United Nations to the stability of the Kurdistan Region. “Political differences need to be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. I commend the Kurdish political parties for seeking democratic tools to reach an agreement on the issue of Presidency of the Kurdistan Region, this is a positive step forward in the democratic process of this region,” he added.
Several other diplomats including representatives of UK, Iran and Kuwait exchanged thoughts on the developments in the Kurdistan Region.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Palestine, Republic of France, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Turkey, People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom, Republic of Italy, Republic of South Korea, Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of Romania, Islamic Republic of Iran, Russian Federation, Republic of Hungary, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Kuwait, Kingdom of Netherlands, Arab Republic of Egypt, United States of America, Czech Republic, Canada, Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Sudan and UNAMI.
President Barzani Welcomes Norway’s Foreign & Defense Ministers
Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Norway’s Foreign Minister Borge Brende and Norway’s Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide in his office in Salahaddin today.
In their meeting, President Barzani and the Norwegian Ministers discussed Norway’s role, as part of the international coalition against ISIS, in supporting the peshmerga forces with training and capacity building. They also discussed political developments in the country and in the wider region.
Foreign Minister Brende commended the role of President Barzani in leading the peshmerga forces against ISIS terrorists and for his personal involvement in supervising battles in the front lines against the terrorists. He reiterated his country’s commitment to continue to support the peshmerga forces in confronting the terrorists’ threat.
President Barzani thanked Norway’s for its support and expressed his hope that this cooperation can be further strengthened. He said the with the support of Norway and other coalition partners the peshmerga forces have been able to stand up to the ISIS terrorists and inflict many losses on them.
On the political developments in Kurdistan, the President said that what is happening is a natural outcome of a democratic process, emphasizing that the political disputes between the parties have not in any way affected the morale of the peshmerga forces.
The President and the Norwegian delegation also discussed developments in Syria and in Turkey. On the current conflict between Turkey and the PKK, the President said that the only solution is going back to negotiations, and the KRG is ready to help restart the peace process.
Nazem Dabbagh in Talk with Avineh: Iran Will not Leave Kurdistan Region Alone till to End the Problems
Kurds Press/ Nazem Dabbagh the official representative of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in Iran through an interview with Kurdish news site, Avineh, answered some questions relating about current concerns of the Region especially the position of the presidency of Kurdistan which has turned out to be a crisis in the Region for it is approaching to the end of Mr. Barezani’s presidency period, and Iran’s role in these changes as followed:
Relating to the rumors about the role of General Qassem Soleimani to extend the presidency of the Region for another two years Dabbagh claimed to be ignorant of that. Concerning with type of Iran’s interfere in ISIS concern Dabbagh continued: Iran’s policy is relied on supporting the union and correlation of political movements of the Kurdish Region and helping solve the problems and differences. It desires to deal with the problems according to rules of the Region, but I have no more information about its details.
About the positions of Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam, the Middle East general manager of national security supreme council of Iran expressed at the presence of Dabbagh and the officials of the Region he said: the meeting in which I presented I noticed that Iran’s view toward the presidency of the Region is that the presidency concern should be solves with the participation and presence of parties and through talking as the Regional Government.
He added: in all meeting and conventions I did not present but in Dr. Ahmadi Moghaddam’s. Iran desires important problems should be solves with cooperate of all parties of the Kurdistan Region. In addition Dabbagh considered the common positions of Patriotic Union, Islamic Union (Guran) and Islamic Group (Komel) to get together effective and said what is said about Iran’s role about this is just rumor.
The reporter of Avineh asked Mr. Dabbagh: Does Iran, in your opinion, have an active present by August 20 to prevent unrest and challenges in the Region?’, Dabbagh replied: now if any unrest and tension occurs in the Region, it will affect Iran and Turkey, in spite of not having detailed information about this, however, I know that after its agreement with 5+1 Iran is trying to act according to plan in order to meet its goals of the agreement; and all countries that were Iran’s allies at tough and hard times have to remain as friends. Iran also has to be their ally as the peace time which Kurds is one of them that during its fighting and being homeless have kept pace with Iran. For this the true policy between Iran and Kurds is that the problems remove. For calmness and stability of the region I.R. of Iran is trying, otherwise why does America agree with Iran and does Iran? All these reasons will lead to stability and agreement.
KRG and INGOs in Kurdistan to consolidate cooperation
Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – The KRG Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), in coordination with the KRG Department of non-Governmental Organization (DNGO) and the KRG Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC) today hosted a special session to discuss cooperation between relevant KRG authorities and the active International non-Governmental Organizations (INGO) in the Kurdistan Region.
Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of the KRG Foreign Relations, thanked the representative of INGOs for attending the session and expressed the gratitude of the KRG for their presence and contribution during this challenging time.
Minister Mustafa stated that the KRG fully supports the mission of INGOs in the Kurdistan Region and that the relevant authorities of the government stand ready to provide the needed assistance in order to ensure the success of the mission of INGOs.
During the session, Head of the KRG DNGO, Mr. Akram Mohammed, gave an overview of the mission and responsibilities of the department and expressed the readiness of the DNGO to fully cooperate with the INGOs and to support their activities in the region.
Head of the JCC, Mr. Hoshang Mohammed, also briefed the representatives of INGOs on the mission of the newly established JCC and discussed ways of building a proper mechanism to build and strengthen understanding and cooperation between JCC and active INGOs in Kurdistan.
During the meeting, several representatives discussed issues and challenges facing the INGOs and exchanged views on how to further consolidate cooperation between KRG and INGOs.
The meeting was attended by representatives of 40 INGOs as well as several officials from DFR, DNGO and JCC.
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