“Both sides agreed to prepare a joint program for the principles on which Kurdistan’s governance will be conducted in the next phase, in a way that protects the position and stability of the Kurdistan Region and the rights and interests of its citizens and communities,” the Kurdish parties said in a joint statement.
The meeting in Erbil province’s Pirmam followed their first meeting in Sulaimani late last month, where both parties agreed to continue talks aimed at forming the government.
“It was decided that a joint committee will work on preparing a draft of the program for the next meeting,” the statement added.
The Kurdistan Region held its long-overdue elections in October, resulting in a consolidation of power for the ruling KDP which won 39 seats, followed by the PUK with 23. The opposition New Generation Movement (NGM) took third place with 15 seats.
No single party won a majority in the parliament so a governing coalition will have to be formed, as has historically been the case. The KDP and PUK, while rivals, also share power in government.
But several parties including the Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal), the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), the People's Front (Baray Gal), and the National Stance Movement (Halwest) have repeatedly denounced the election results, alleging fraud and voter manipulation.
The KDP and PUK also discussed regional developments, particularly the situation in Syria and its impacts on Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
The 13-year uprising against Bashar al-Assad’s regime came to a quick end when a coalition of rebels led by the Islamist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a lightning offensive against the Syrian army late last month, culminating their victory with the capture of Damascus as Assad fled to Russia and ending over five decades of Baathist rule.
“Both sides agreed on solidarity and having the same stance in protecting the highest interests of the Kurdistan Region at this sensitive stage,” they stated.
