Araqchi: Technical negotiations at the expert level will begin on Wednesday in Amman.
4/19/2025
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said at the conclusion of the second round of Iranian-American talks in Rome that the two sides agreed to launch expert-level technical talks in the Sultanate of Oman starting next Wednesday.
According to Iranian media, Araghchi described the indirect talks as "good and forward-looking, lasting for four hours," emphasizing that "a better understanding was reached on a number of principles and goals."
The Iranian foreign minister said, "Assumptions and personal interpretations with different objectives are always present in any negotiation. I do not confirm any of these speculations. When the negotiations end, the results will be clear."
He added, "Negotiations are one of the Foreign Ministry's tasks, and there is no need to create excitement. We are proceeding carefully."
He stressed, "There is no reason for extreme optimism or extreme pessimism. I hope we will be in a better position next week after the technical meetings."
For his part, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced on the X platform that "fruitful indirect talks were held today between Iran and the United States, conducted by the Omani Foreign Minister, in a constructive atmosphere."
He added: The two sides agreed to continue indirect talks at the technical level within days, to be followed by another round at the level of each side next Saturday.
The video content discusses the current state of budgeting in the government, revealing that there is no need to prepare or submit new budget schedules due to a lack of funds for paying accumulated dues.
According to a source from Fur News, operational funding will be limited to covering salaries and essential expenses only. A significant reason for delaying the budget submission stems from concerns about political exploitation as elections approach.
The government fears that various political parties and blocks might withdraw the budget and misuse it for electoral advantages.
Currently, the government is reliant on an estimated $3 trillion for operational expenses, opting to defer any new budget initiatives until a more stable financial environment is present.
💰 Budget Concerns: The government has postponed budget preparations due to insufficient funds.
🏢 Operational Funding: Current funding will only cover salaries and essential expenses.
📅 Election Fears: Political exploitation is a significant factor delaying budget submission.
🏛️ Political Parties’ Roles: There is trepidation about parties withdrawing budget proposals for their own gain.
📉 Limited Financial Resources: The government seeks to manage with approximately $3 trillion for operational expenses.
⏳ Deferment of Budget Initiatives: Proposal for new budgets has been put on hold until financial conditions improve.
🔒 Desire for Stability: The government’s cautious approach reflects a need for political and financial stability going forward.
Key Insights
💡 Lack of Funds as a Driving Factor: The absence of sufficient funds has compelled the government to re-evaluate its budgeting strategy. This highlights a critical weakness in fiscal management, where the accumulated dues exceed the available resources, influencing decision-making. The decision to limit funding to basic operational needs underlines the urgency of addressing financial mismanagement.
🚫 Risk of Political Exploitation: The fear of political exploitation during election periods has profound implications for governance. Political entities might see budget allocations not just as necessary financial tools but as opportunities for electoral advantage. This situation complicates budgeting processes and can halt essential funding for services that citizens depend on, impacting overall societal well-being.
🔍 Operational Focus on Essentials: By focusing only on salaries and essential expenses, the government is prioritizing immediate needs over long-term planning, signaling a reactive rather than proactive governance style. This operational focus may lead to a deterioration in services that require proper funding, adversely affecting public perception and trust in government effectiveness.
🧩 Electoral Calendar Influences Decisions: The timing of elections plays a significant role in budget discussions, revealing how political calendars can influence fiscal policies. The government’s reluctance to push forward with budget proposals indicates a keen awareness of external pressures from the political landscape that can derail properly structured financial planning.
🔄 Challenges in Budget Management: The decision to rely on an estimated $3 trillion for operational expenses demonstrates not just the scale of governmental operational needs but also the systemic challenges in achieving a balanced budget. This reliance exposes the government to potential future financial strain unless significant reforms or revenue-generating efforts are implemented.
🤝 Need for Political Consensus: The scenario suggests that achieving budget agreements necessitates broader political consensus. The fear that parties might withdraw support points to a fragmented political landscape where collaboration across party lines is crucial for implementing successful financial strategies. Efforts to create a collaborative budgeting environment could mitigate risks of future political exploitation.
🌍 Stability in Governance: The government’s cautious approach reflects a broader need for stability, both politically and financially. By postponing new budget initiatives until conditions stabilize, the government aims to foster an environment that can support more effective and sustainable budgeting in the long run. This strategy, however, must ensure that it does not compromise the delivery of essential services during the interim.
The content within this video emphasizes the precarious balance governments must maintain between fiscal responsibility, political dynamics, and public service delivery. The tensions surrounding budget management in contexts of electoral pressure are critical, not just for the effectiveness of governance, but for the broader societal implications tied to economic stability and public trust.
Overall, the discussion presents a nuanced perspective on budgeting challenges faced by the government, revealing the complex interplay of fiscal limitations, political opportunism, and the pressing need for thoughtful governance in times of uncertainty. Given the current climate of fear surrounding electoral exploitation, it will be vital for the government to navigate these challenges through strategic planning and, potentially, reform initiatives aimed at improving fiscal health while maintaining public confidence.
FRANK26: "IRAQ'S NEW BANKING REFORM... HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH 1310"....F26
Al-Nusairi confirms that the Central Bank's approach to banking reform and development contributes to accelerating Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization.
4/19/2025
- Baghdad
During his participation in the specialized workshop held by the Ministry of Trade to discuss Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization, Samir Al-Nusairi, Economic and Banking Advisor, emphasized the role of the banking sector in contributing to accelerating Iraq's accession to the organization and the important role of the financial and banking sector in it. He pointed to the measures achieved in 2023 and 2024 by the Central Bank in cooperation with the government, mainly regarding the regulation of foreign trade financing, the electronic platform, and direct work between banks and international correspondent banks, based on the approved reform and development methodology, official data, and monetary policy indicators for 2024 and the plan for 2025 and 2026, in cooperation with international consulting companies specialized in this field, and compliance with financial globalization and international standards adopted by WTO member states.
Al-Nusairi explained the main points of the banking reform project launched by the Central Bank this month in the presence and participation of the Prime Minister.
He pointed out the customs war launched by the US administration and its effects in the medium and long term on the principles of unifying customs duties.
Customs duties of the member states of the organization, and what are the means of confrontation that will be adopted by the World Trade Organization and the CAT organization concerned with regulating customs duties at the international level.
The workshop was attended by members of the National Governmental Committee for Joining the Organization, in which Iraq currently holds observer status along with 21 other countries, out of 166 countries with full membership. Representatives of relevant ministries, the private sector, and unions were also present.
The Central Bank of Iraq Launches the Virtual Bank Project
CBI announces the adoption of the project to launch a virtual bank in Iraqi universities. This is the first virtual bank to be established in an Iraqi university.
The first stage will be held at al-Muthanna University, which hosted a comprehensive exhibition held on the sidelines of the second scientific conference "Artificial Intelligence and Labor Market Requirements."
The exhibition was organized by the University's College of Administration and Economics, in cooperation with Mansoura University of Egypt, CBI, al-Muthanna Chamber of Commerce, and al-Muthanna Chamber of Industry.
The exhibition included pavilions representing a number of banks and companies, as well as displays of fine art and heritage.
The virtual bank project aims to provide students and graduates with practical experience in banking, preparing them to develop human resources capable of meeting the needs of financial institutions.
It also aims to provide students with practical experience through simulations of financial institutions' operations and international best practices.
It also seeks to encourage financial institutions operating in Iraq to access and expand financial services to all geographical regions of Iraq, with the objective of strengthening financial inclusion plans.
Central Bank of Iraq
Media Office
April 20, 2025
CBI