Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday chaired a cabinet meeting to discuss preparations for the resumption of the Region's oil exports, reiterating his government's commitment to the agreement with Baghdad regarding this matter.

During the first session of the meeting, officials presented the latest updates on the resumption of oil exports in accordance with the agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal government, which was signed on April 4, 2023.

The prime minister emphasized that the KRG has fulfilled all its obligations under the agreement and is now awaiting a final agreement between the federal government and the Turkish government to resume the KRG's oil exports. He stressed the importance for Baghdad to promptly send Erbil's share from the federal budget until the budget bill is approved, ensuring the region's financial rights and entitlements within the framework of the budget.

Additionally, the cabinet approved the "General Financial Reorganization in the Kurdistan Region" project, which aims to consolidate revenues, expenses, and salaries across the Kurdistan Region. This will be achieved by reorganizing revenue sources within banks, treasuries, border crossings, and tax directories and establishing a connected electronic system to facilitate this process.

In attendance at the cabinet meeting was also the ministerial team of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), as efforts were made to address the party's concerns ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

The PUK's return to cabinet positions follows PM Barzani's recent invitation to his deputy, Qubad Talabani, for a lunch meeting in Erbil, indicating a positive step towards collaboration.

Meanwhile, Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), made a significant initiative last week, calling upon all political parties in the Kurdistan Region to convene in the coming days. The aim is to bridge differences and address each other's concerns, ensuring the smooth conduct of the upcoming elections. Barzani urged all parties to turn a new page, agree on a formula to move forward with the forthcoming vote, and foster a cooperative environment.