The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers convened today, Wednesday, under the leadership of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and with the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. The meeting addressed several critical issues, including the rights of Kurdish farmers, cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region.

Protection of Farmers' Rights

Prime Minister Barzani opened the meeting by condemning recent incidents of encroachment and obstruction against Kurdish farmers in the Sargaran sub-district of Kirkuk Governorate. He described these actions as "unconstitutional, illegal, and unacceptable," reaffirming the KRG's commitment to protecting the rights of indigenous farmers.

"The farmers are the rightful owners of their lands, and they must be free to cultivate and benefit from their ancestral properties," Barzani stated. He emphasized the importance of implementing Law No. 3 of 2025, which annuls decisions made by the former Ba'ath regime and restores land ownership to its rightful Kurdish owners. The Prime Minister called for the removal of all obstacles preventing farmers from accessing and utilizing their lands in accordance with the law.

Strengthening Ties with the UAE

The Council also reviewed the outcomes of the KRG delegation's recent participation in the World Government Summit in Dubai, held from February 11-13. The delegation, led by Prime Minister Barzani and including Deputy Prime Minister Talabani, engaged in high-level meetings and renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE government.

The renewed MoU focuses on enhancing cooperation and coordination between the KRG and the UAE across various sectors for the next five years. The Council of Ministers instructed relevant KRG ministries to follow up on the implementation of the agreement, aiming to leverage the UAE's advanced expertise in institutional development and governance.

Quality Control and Federal Cooperation

A report from the joint committee between the KRG and the federal government on quality control measures and contractor classification was also presented during the meeting. The Council stressed the importance of harmonizing standards and ensuring mutual recognition of quality control documents between the KRG and federal authorities.

The Council emphasized the need for continuous coordination to address challenges related to standardization and quality control, particularly for goods traded between the Kurdistan Region and other parts of Iraq. This includes ensuring the smooth delivery of goods from the Kurdistan Region to central and southern Iraq, following verification of their safety and quality.

Resumption of Oil Exports

In a significant development, the Council discussed the outcome of a recent joint meeting between the KRG Ministry of Natural Resources and the federal Ministry of Oil. The meeting, held in Erbil, focused on implementing Law No. 5 of 2025, which pertains to the first amendment of the federal budget law and the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region.

Acting Minister of Natural Resources, Kamal Muhammad Salih, presented the details of the discussions. The Council reiterated its support for the swift resumption of oil exports, highlighting that the halt in exports since March 2023 has resulted in billions of dollars in losses for Iraq's public revenue.

"The resumption of oil exports is in the interest of all parties," Prime Minister Barzani stated. He called for immediate action to restart exports, noting that the legal barriers have been removed and the necessary framework is now in place.

The Council of Ministers tasked the Ministry of Natural Resources with working closely with the federal Ministry of Oil to finalize the mechanisms for resuming oil exports. Additionally, the Council instructed relevant ministries to maintain ongoing coordination with federal counterparts to ensure the smooth implementation of agreements and laws benefiting the Kurdistan Region and Iraq as a whole.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the KRG's commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens, strengthening international partnerships, and resolving outstanding issues with the federal government in a collaborative manner.