Ban welcomes deal between Iraq, Kurdish region on resolving budget, oil export issues

United Nations Secretary-General Ban-Ki moon has welcomed an agreement reached between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government aimed at finding a solution to the issues related to the general budget and oil exports.

According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban has congratulated Iraq’s Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, and Kurdistan Regional Government’s Prime Minister, Nechervan Barzani, for the willingness to negotiate and conclude agreements that are in the interest of the Iraqi people.

The Secretary-General also encouraged the Federal and Regional authorities to build on this important first step and to solve all remaining outstanding issues within the framework of the Constitution.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) stands ready, within its mandate, to continue supporting this process, Mr. Ban added.