Sept 22 2015
 

The Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi stressed on Tuesday the importance of meetings with the public and exchanging views with them on reforms, noting that the reforms have begun we will not back down from them and I am optimistic about their success, with our cooperation and our determination and our patience because there are obstacles, some deliberate and others as a result of accumulations.

Through his answers to questions from a group of activists and civil society organizations from all provinces he added that there are many rumours and false news spread on social networking sites to distort the facts, and these things were brought up after the reforms that have touched on the privileges and protections and the corrupt, which means that there is a deliberate campaign aimed at everything in the country.

Dr. Haider Al-Abadi said that everyone understands that we are in a state of war with the enemy, which requires money to buy weapons and supplies, and as we started the reforms, oil prices began to decline again, which had some effect, but with our determination we will improve our performance and develop it, and we need to take some time to implement some procedures.

The PM clarified that the reform packages were interconnected, some concerned the political dimension by targeting the quota system, and the other relating to the privileges of officials and reduction of government spending and protection details, including those related to administrative and economic matters, and the launch of new loans, adding that the funds, if they are administered properly, will be spent in the right way.

The Prime Minister warned of attempts to try to divide the citizens and the security forces, noting that at the same time, some are trying to increase demands to try to embarrass the government, with the knowledge that the price of oil is falling continuously.

In response to a question about the share of the Kurdistan region, the PM said that our dealings with the Kurdistan region were built on a clear basis that it is agreed they will export 550,000 barrels per month, and we give them their monthly share month from the actual budget and not the planned one, and in the event a reduction in export we will decrease the ratio by the same size as the reduction. We did not pay them when they refrained from handing over and we will not fight a propaganda war with them, but there are measures taken on this matter.

Dr. Haider al-Abadi pointed to the importance of reforming the judiciary, but we respect the separation of powers, adding that the decision to review the ownership of real estate by the state is continuing.


Prime Minister’s Media Office
Wednesday 22 September 2015