Nechirvan Barzani calls for the constitutional implementation of the oil and salaries agreement: We do not want Erbil to dominate Baghdad, nor vice versa.
Nechirvan Barzani calls for the constitutional implementation of the oil and salaries agreement: We do not want Erbil to dominate Baghdad, nor vice versa.
2026-09-17
Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani called on Thursday for the implementation of the political agreements concluded between Erbil and Baghdad regarding the oil, salaries and the region’s share of the country’s financial budget within the constitutional frameworks, stressing that the goal is not for Erbil to dominate Baghdad or vice versa, but rather for Iraq and the state to triumph through the implementation of the constitution and the consolidation of stability.
President Nechirvan Barzani said in a speech during the opening of the Economic Summit for Development and Investment in Sulaymaniyah Governorate: “Today, we must ask ourselves throughout Iraq: Has the constitution that we agreed upon been implemented? The answer is: No, it has not been implemented in its entirety or completely,” explaining that “the constitution is not a Kurdish demand or a privilege for the region, but rather it is a comprehensive contract between Iraqis and a protector of the rights of all components.”
He added that “the implementation of the constitution should not be in favor of one group over another, but rather for all Iraqis who voted for it to promote coexistence and partnership,” noting that “its implementation restores confidence in the state, and we do not want any Iraqi to resort to force to preserve his existence, but rather we want an Iraq in which everyone abides by the constitution that guarantees the rights of all its citizens.”
The president of the region continued, “The federal system is a source of strength for Iraq, and its proper implementation will make the country a strong state in the region. The constitution is the key to solving the country’s crises.” He stressed that “the Kurdistan Region is part of federal Iraq, and Baghdad is our depth and an integral part of the region’s security and stability. Kurdistan should be viewed as a strength for Iraq.”
Nechirvan Barzani stressed that “the ongoing disputes between Erbil and Baghdad cannot continue without solutions, and the dialogue table is always open to resolve them in accordance with the major agreement that unites us, which is the constitution,” explaining that “the issues of the financial budget, salaries and oil require a constitutional solution that guarantees the rights of all.”
The president continued, saying: “Our goal is not for Erbil to dominate Baghdad, nor vice versa. Rather, our goal is for Iraq, the constitution, and the state to prevail, and then the Kurdistan Region will be strong within the framework of a unified Iraq.” He pointed out that “the people of the region expect the political forces to resolve the disputes through solidarity and unity, as improving the lives of citizens and investors depends on unity and cooperation.”
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