In a recent press conference, Safeen Dizayee, the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government's Department of Foreign Relations, addressed the significant economic toll incurred by the Kurdistan Region due to the halt in oil exports. Dizayee stated that the cessation of oil exports has resulted in an approximate loss of $10 billion over an 11-month period.

Dizayee confirmed ongoing discussions between Erbil and Baghdad regarding the resumption of oil exports, highlighting the resolution of technical challenges as a crucial step forward. He emphasized that Baghdad now holds the initiative for solving the oil export halt, urging independent resolution talks between Ankara and Baghdad to address their bilateral issues.

Regarding allegations of Turkey's interference in the export process, Dizayee clarified that Turkey has stated its non-interference, alleviating previous concerns raised by the Kurdistan Region.

Furthermore, Dizayee discussed the recent participation of Kurdistan Region's President and Prime Minister in the Munich and Dubai conferences. He noted that discussions during these conferences focused on addressing Middle East dynamics and security developments, with particular attention to relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

Dizayee emphasized the Kurdistan Region's crucial role in maintaining regional security, highlighting the instrumental efforts of the Peshmerga in defeating the Islamic State (IS). Despite being part of Iraq, the Kurdistan Region continues to play a significant role in the region's political balance and security landscape.

The halt in oil exports stemmed from an arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in France, directing Turkey to compensate Baghdad with $1.5 billion for unauthorized exports by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spanning from 2014 to 2018. This ruling led to Turkey's decision to halt Kurdistan's crude oil exports, which amounted to 450,000 barrels per day through a pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.

As discussions between Erbil, Baghdad, Ankara, and other stakeholders continue, the Kurdistan Region remains focused on finding a resolution to the oil export halt while maintaining its crucial role in regional stability and security.