UN urges Baghdad, Erbil to reach deal on oil exports

The United Nations Security Council late Thursday encouraged Baghdad and Erbil to reach an accord on all pending subjects, including energy exports and revenue sharing in line with Iraq's international commitments.
Council President Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin issued a press statement one day after the 15 members were briefed by UN Special Envoy for Iraq Nickolay Mladenov, who is also the Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on the situation in the country.
Diplomats said on Wednesday following the briefing that Mladenov warned the Council that the recent export of oil from the autonomous northern Kurdish region without the consent of the Central Government in Baghdad would create a "crisis".
Praising the Iraqi people for carrying out a successful election despite security challenges by terrorist groups, the Council reiterated its call on all political entities "to work together in an inclusive and timely political process aimed at strengthening Iraq's national unity, sovereignty and independence." The Council also called on Iraqi leaders to engage, "as quickly as possible," to form a Government that represents the will and sovereignty of "all" the Iraqi people, convinced that through its democratic institutions, in cooperation with the society, Iraq can work to address the challenges facing the country.
The Council reaffirmed its support for the Iraqi Government's efforts to help meet the security needs of the entire population, especially to engage with local civilian leaders in Anbar and its calls for a conference on the situation in the Province.
According to UNAMI, at least 7,818 civilians were killed in 2013, compared to 3,238 in 2012, and some 800 more were killed in May alone this year, excluding deaths as a result of the Iraqi military operation in Anbar.
The Council urged Baghdad to continue working with UN aid agencies to ensure the delivery of aid relief to all Iraqis in need, recalling that the USD 103.7 million UN and Iraqi Government Strategic Response Plan, launched last March to assist the those in need in Anbar, remains just 10 percent funded.
On the ongoing terror attacks in Iraq, the Council insisted that "no act of violence or terrorism can reverse a path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in Iraq, underpinned by the rule of law and respect for human rights, which is supported by the people and the Government of Iraq and the international community." The Council also reminded member states of their obligation to implement and enforce the targeted financial sanctions, arms embargo and travel ban imposed on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) under the sanctions regime in conformity in relevant Council resolutions.