Ban welcomes Iraq, Kurds overcoming budget dispute

UN Chief congratulated Iraq's Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi and Kurdistan Regional Government's Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani for the willingness to negotiate and conclude agreements that are in the interest of the Iraqi people.
In a statement released by Ban's press office, he welcomed the agreement reached between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government aimed at finding a solution to the issues related to the general budget and oil exports.
Ban encouraged the Federal and Regional authorities to build on this important first step and to solve all remaining outstanding issues within the framework of the Constitution.
United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq stands ready, within its mandate, to continue supporting this process, the statement concluded.