ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) politburos emphasized in a joint statement the importance of their unity, along with the unity of the Kurdistani parties in a joint statement following a meeting in Erbil on Monday.
The KDP delegation was headed by KDP President Masoud Barzani and the PUK's by Kosrat Rasul, the top party leader.
After meeting at President Barzani’s office in Salahaddin, two parties issued a joint statement, emphasizing KDP-PUK unity, the participation of all Kurdistani sides in political processes, and practical steps for Kirkuk.
The KDP and PUK reaffirmed that they will continue their joint work for Iraqi government formation, and continue to prepare for the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary election set for September 30.
“From the viewpoint of the interest of our nation and the sensitivity of the situation, both sides emphasized unity and joint work in Baghdad and Kurdistan, and for this reason, the joint committee be continuously in communication and make necessary preparations,” read the statement.
Despite failed attempts to bring Kurdistani opposition parties on board, the KDP and PUK will continue to try to meet with the four groups and is preparing a special committee to do so.
“Just as we have announced in the past publicly that we call for a joint meeting of all everyone for the sake of Kurdistan’s unity and the participation of all sides in the political process, for this purpose, a committee has been tasked with preparing the needs for such a meeting,” the statement added.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has repeatedly said that the status of Kirkuk and the disputed areas is not up for negotiation in government formation talks; however the KDP and PUK said they are moving forward to resolve the issue.
“Due to the sensitivity of Kirkuk’s conditions and the necessity for resolving it, it was decided that the committee formed in the previous meeting start studies and taking steps,” the statement concluded.
With the exception of New Generation, no Kurdistani party or bloc has thrown its support behind an Iraqi bloc for government formation in Baghdad. The first session of parliament is due to reconvene on Saturday.
A joint KDP-PUK delegation that has returned from Baghdad briefed the two politburos on their meetings.
"Our meeting will continue with all the parties...we will make a decision which will be in the interest of the people of Kurdistan," the deputy KDP head Nechirvan Barzani, told reporters on Sunday following the conclusion of a KDP leadership meeting.
And also on Sunday, Mahmoud Mohammed, the spokesperson for the KDP, said they were not close to any coalition nor were they avoiding any sides as government formation talks intensify.
"Being close or far in the government talks is contingent upon the common points we have in our agenda which are the matters of partnership, balance and consensus in Iraq. Whichever party has these qualities, we will get close to, and start necessary talks for forming the future Iraqi government," he said.
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