Relations between Baghdad and Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have improved under Iraq’s new PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi. But disagreements over KRG’s oil contribution to the federal budget (MEES, 9 April) continue.

A deal struck in June would see Baghdad making monthly payments equivalent to the KRG share of the budget with the Kurds in return handing over 250,000 b/d of crude to state marketeer Somo. (CONTINUED - 405 WORDS)