LOC13:29
10:29 GMT
IRBIL, May 10 (KUNA) -- Kurdistan is looking to establish the relations
based on mutual respect with neighboring countries, said President of Iraq's
Kurdistan region Massoud Al-Barazani on Thursday.
Al-Barazani said in the press conference that he would be visiting Iran
next week. He added, "Iran is important to us."
Talks with the Iraqi government regarding the oil law will begin next week,
Al-Barazani said.
The oil law has been agreed upon by all, and the main condition is to
establish an oil revenue allocation law.
Al-Barazani, who will be joining the meetings in person, is optimistic that
Iraqis will come to an agreement.
On the electricity crisis his region is suffering, Al-Barazani said an
agreement between Kurdistan and Iran would be signed to supply the province
will power.
The power supply is a top government priority, he said, but it would not be
realized overnight. The government has plans to build two power plants, a 500
megawatt plant and a 700 megawatt plant.
An agreement has been signed with Dana Gas to extract natural gas for use
in power stations, Al-Barazani said.
The Iraqi government has been slowing the projects down as it claims the
province's government has no right to sign contracts.
Al-Barazani said, the province is only working to solve the power crisis
and not contracting for commercial projects.(end)
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KUNA 101329 May 07NNNN