The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is in talks with the central government in Baghdad in order to reach an agreement to keep its representation office there after it was shut down by the Prime Minister.

The closure of the KRG representation came after relations between Baghdad and the KRG witnessed tensions over oil deals that the KRG has signed with world companies to explore the oil fields of Kurdistan. Baghdad says the oil deals have to be signed only by Baghdad.

Moreover, Baghdad was further angered by Kurdistan Region’s developing relations with neighboring Turkey. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Turkey treated Kurdistan as an independent state and that if Turkey wanted to form relations with Kurdistan Region they have to be through Baghdad.

The KRG representation office in Baghdad was opened in 2006 when Maliki visited Kurdistan Region and agreed with the Kurdish leaders to open the office in Baghdad in order to coordinative relations between the regional and the central governments.

Mohammed Ihsan, KRG representative in Baghdad said “we continue to work as the KRG representation in Baghdad despite the decision of the closedown of our office.. and currently Kurdish leaders in Baghdad are in talks with the Iraqi officials to convince them to cancel the decision”

“The representation office has played positive role in the relations between the KRG and Baghdad.. Baghdad is expected to allow the re-opening of the office”











RY/AKnews