According to NRT Abadi said during a press conference on Tuesday, February 20, that the ban on the region’s airports would not be lifted if the region failed to meet the conditions of Baghdad.

“The Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG] accepted the condition of security and customs personnel appointed by Baghdad,” he added.

“Airports and border entries are controlled by the central government ... and international flights will be resumed when the KRG meets all the conditions of Baghdad. If not airports will remain closed.”

Relations between Erbil and Baghdad hit their lowest point in the aftermath of the referendum held by the Kurdistan Region, which saw 92.7 percent of voters say “yes” to independence.

Following the referendum, the government of Iraq took economic and security measures by banning international flights to and from the Kurdistan Region and by retaking the disputed areas from the Kurdish forces.

The Iraqi prime minister said during an interview with Deutsche Welle's Arabic-language television channel that Baghdad would allow international flights to the region after it has established “full control” of Erbil and Sulaimani International Airports.

Abadi also said at the press conference that the government of Iraq would make serious attempts to reach a deal with the Kurdistan Region, not a political party.

Reporter’s code: 50101