SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi President Barham Salih and Co-leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Bafel Talabani stressed on dialogue between Iraqi and Kurdish parties to resolve issues related to the Kurdistan Region’s share of the federal budget.
Salih met Talabani in Sulaimani city on Thursday, according to a statement by the PUK co-leader’s office. They discussed the latest political, security and economic developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
They also discussed the importance of resolving issues between Erbil and Baghdad, stressing on “joint works and cooperation” to secure political and economic stability, according to the statement.
Salih and Talabani also reiterated the continuity of efforts and talks between the Iraqi and Kurdish political parties, the statement read.
“They considered [Iraqi] constitution as the source to pass the situation and reach an agreement,” the PUK co-leader’s office said.
Despite a series of meetings between Iraqi and Kurdish officials, Erbil and Baghdad have yet to reach a final agreement on suspending issues between both sides.
On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called on the country’s rival political groups to use dialogue to solve their differences, a move he said would reflect the “love and tolerance” shown by Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq.
Kadhimi also called on the officials and political and civil bodies to “reach a final understanding on an agreement about relations between the federal government and the KRG so as to keep the unity of Iraq’s land.”
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani welcomed and expressed support for Kadhimi’s call to solve the issues.
