UK welcomes Iraq-Kurdistan regional government budget deal

UK Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood welcomed on Friday new budget deal between Baghdad and Kurdistan regional government as first step towards negotiating a solution to the issue of federal budget allocations.
"I welcome the agreement reached yesterday between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government on the issue of federal budget allocations," Ellwood said in a statement.
"Whilst this is an interim deal, it is a positive and welcome first step which demonstrates that both parties are ready and willing to negotiate seriously and in good faith," he said.
"I encourage the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to now work together to find a long-term, comprehensive and constitutional solution to this issue."
Also, he called on both sides to show flexibility and compromise on both sides, calling on all Iraqis to keep united against Daesh terrorist group.
"I hope that yesterday’s agreement can contribute positively to this process."