SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Co-president Bafel Talabani met with U.N. Iraq Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert in Sulaimani on Saturday.
Talabani and Hennis-Plasschaert discussed in the meeting the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, relationship between the Region’s parties, and the upcoming elections in Iraq.
They agreed to make efforts to overcome tensions and conflicts and pave the way for constructive dialogue on the basis of understanding and mutual interests, which lead to political, security and social stability, Talabani’s office said in a statement.
Talabani reaffirmed the “PUK’s keenness and desire to resolve issues, to reach an agreement on governance in the Region, and to unite forces and abilities to build unity and national consensus on issues that have national and patriotic interests,” the statement read.
He also recalled “that move to rebuild trust, balance and real partnership in decision making, managing and changing the political system in the Region, which is the will of today’s people,” the statement said.
Talabani and the U.N. envoy to Iraq discussed reconciliation and coexistence among nations and components in the Kurdistan Region, according to the statement.
“The PUK is with freedom of expression, protection of principles of freedom, culture of acceptance, and peaceful coexistence,” Talabani said.
Regarding Iraq’s upcoming elections, Talabani and Hennis-Plasschaert stressed on a “clean and pure election that is away from interference and will be held on time, and the United Nations will play a role of observance,” the PUK co-leader’s office said.
Iraq is scheduled to hold early parliamentary elections on October 10.
