Dr Hawrami: Just and fair oil management ensures Iraq's unity


7 February 2008

London, UK (KRG.org) - " Dr Ashti Hawrami, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister for Natural Resources, on Tuesday said that the oil and gas sector must be managed fairly to ensure the unity of Iraq.

Dr Ashti Hawrami
Dr Ashti Hawrami, the KRG Minister for Natural Resources

The Natural Resources Minister made the remarks in his presentation to a Middle East Energy Conference at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, also known as Chatham House, the UK's leading think tank on international affairs. The London conference brought together government officials, energy companies, analysts and journalists.

Dr Hawrami said, “The KRG is leading the way in Iraq’s recovery by exercising our constitutional rights in the oil and gas sector. Our approach and polices will become a model for all of Iraq.”

Dr Hawrami concluded that practising democratic federalism is the best way to keep Iraq together, and fair Iraqi revenue-sharing and oil laws can help to cement this new relationship.

He added, “We are in no doubt that we are acting constitutionally and legally, and this has been confirmed by an authoritative legal opinion.” The KRG will continue to exercise its constitutional rights and continue with its achievements in oil and gas sector investment, he said.

To view Dr Hawrami’s presentation please click on the link below. Please note that this file is 13 megabytes and may take some time to download.

Dr Hawrami’s presentation (13 megabytes)