18/08/2012
AFP reported that passing a much delayed oil and gas law in the Iraqi parliament is a top priority and the UN has put together an internal taskforce to tackle the issue.
Mr Martin Kobler special envoy said that The law, which would regulate Iraq's lucrative oil sector and rules on revenue sharing between the central government and Iraq's provinces have for years languished in parliament. There is an internal United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq taskforce on this issue. It will take some time to develop expertise.
Mr Kobler said that "We want to start with a discussion on the revenue sharing and then the oil and gas law. The oil and gas law is a good entry point to tackle some major issues the Arab and Kurd issue, the issue of federalism. I would say it is the key. It gives you a foundation. And also, this country needs investment security. The solution to the disputed internal boundaries where some of the major unexploited oilfields are located is a lot easier if everyone knows how the revenue will be shared.
Diplomats and analysts persistently point to a wide ranging row between Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region and the central government over a swathe of disputed territory, the sharing of revenues and the apportioning of powers, as one of the biggest threats to the country's long term stability.
Mr Kobler listed his two other priorities as the selection of a new electoral commission to organize provincial elections planned for next year and the creation of an upper chamber of parliament known as the federation council which is referred to in Iraq's constitution but has not yet been implemented.
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AFP reported that passing a much delayed oil and gas law in the Iraqi parliament is a top priority and the UN has put together an internal taskforce to tackle the issue.
Mr Martin Kobler special envoy said that The law, which would regulate Iraq's lucrative oil sector and rules on revenue sharing between the central government and Iraq's provinces have for years languished in parliament. There is an internal United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq taskforce on this issue. It will take some time to develop expertise.
Mr Kobler said that "We want to start with a discussion on the revenue sharing and then the oil and gas law. The oil and gas law is a good entry point to tackle some major issues the Arab and Kurd issue, the issue of federalism. I would say it is the key. It gives you a foundation. And also, this country needs investment security. The solution to the disputed internal boundaries where some of the major unexploited oilfields are located is a lot easier if everyone knows how the revenue will be shared.
Diplomats and analysts persistently point to a wide ranging row between Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region and the central government over a swathe of disputed territory, the sharing of revenues and the apportioning of powers, as one of the biggest threats to the country's long term stability.
Mr Kobler listed his two other priorities as the selection of a new electoral commission to organize provincial elections planned for next year and the creation of an upper chamber of parliament known as the federation council which is referred to in Iraq's constitution but has not yet been implemented.
Link