Iraq’s Kurds: Our Oil Deals are Constitutional

In the recent commotion concerning oil and gas deals signed by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), the latter stated it was backed by both the constitution and by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki.

Last Monday the Iraqi federal government’s Oil Minister Hussein Shahristani stated that oil and gas deals signed after February 2007 between foreign firms and the KRG were illegal and that crude oil could not be illegally exported. 

Shahristani was referring to the KRG’s announcement earlier this month, according to which it had signed contracts with oil companies from the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

“All these contracts have no legal base and do not fit with the existing laws,” Shahristani said.

Head of the KRG’s Department of Foreign Relations, Fala Mu’stafa Bakir, rejected Shahristani’s statement in an interview with The Media line.

“It was stated in the constitution that the oil belongs to all the people of Iraq. After a lengthy process of negotiations between the KRG and the federal government in Baghdad, we have come to the conclusion that all [existing] producing oil fields will be managed by the federal government in cooperation with the KRG.

“However, the new producing oil fields will be managed by the KRG in cooperation with the federal government,” Bakir said.

“What we have done up until now in the region, is all constitutional, legal, and has been authorized and entitled by our constitutional rights. Furthermore, advisers of Prime Minister Al-Maliki said that we have an understanding. Therefore, we in the KRG are optimistic that we can overcome such misunderstandings,” Bakir added. 

Bakir also said he would not demand the removal of Shahristani following his statements on Monday.