Baghdad Ready to Resolve Oil Issues With Erbil





Baghdad is ready to discuss and settle outstanding oil issues with Erbil, Iraqi oil minister said on Tuesday.


According to Iraq's Oil Minister, Jabar al-Luaibi, Iraq is ready for dialogues with Erbil, as the Region is moving forward with its upcoming independence referendum, scheduled for the 25th of September.


The main subject of the dialogues is believed to be the oil-rich Kirkuk province, which is claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil. The province is expected to take part in the referendum and decide whether it wants to remain part of Iraq or wants to be part of an independent Kurdistan, which would lead to certain changes in regards to the oil fields control.


Currently the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has control over two of the province's oil fields, whereas the other three fields are under the control of Iraq's North Oil Company (NOC).


Since 2014, the KRG administration has been in charge of the entire Kirkuk province, after the Iraqi forces failed to protect the are from the so-called Islamic State (IS).

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