Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on Monday chaired a regular meeting of the Kurdistan Regional Government Council of Ministers.

In the meeting, also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, recent international reactions to the disputes between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region were discussed, including the phone call with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, letters received by the KRG Prime Minister from UN Secretary General António Guterres and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Ms Federica Mogherini, and the visit by the new British Ambassador to Iraq. Prime Minister Barzani said they expressed their support for a strong government in the Kurdistan Region and stressed their readiness to support dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution.

Prime Minister Barzani informed the KRG Ministers that he, along with Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, will visit Kurdistan political parties to discuss the current situation in the Region. He highlighted the importance of unity and solidarity among political parties to overcome the current stage and hold serious dialogue with Baghdad based on the Iraqi Constitution.

Regarding the recent earthquake in the Kurdistan Region, relevant Ministers have been requested to follow up on the situation of the people affected and work on compensating them for their losses.

The Council also discussed measures to reduce expenditure and increase revenue by the KRG ministries and other government-supported organizations with acute emphasis on improved auditing, transparency, accountability, and other administrative reforms to overcome the ongoing financial crisis. It also stressed that if the federal government in Baghdad is ready to send the budget of the Kurdistan Region, then it should first review the Draft Federal Budget of 2018, as it deprives the Kurdistan Region of its fair share of the federal budget, which requires KRG involvement.

Monday’s meeting also covered measures to facilitate the registration of companies in the Kurdistan Region in accordance with World Bank criteria.