Latest news with #BaghdadInternationalDialogue
Shafaq News
23-02-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Baghdad International Dialogue: PUK's head predicts salary struggle
Shafaq News/ Iraq's government may soon struggle with salary payments, mirroring the financial crisis in the Kurdistan Region, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) head Bafel Talabani warned on Sunday. Speaking at the Baghdad International Dialogue, Talabani described the protests in Al-Sulaymaniyah as a 'legitimate response to economic hardship.' 'People do not want to die of hunger,' he said, emphasizing the difficulty of suppressing public grievances. Talabani attributed the decision to localize salary payments for Kurdistan's public employees to a lack of trust between the Regional and Federal governments but confirmed ongoing negotiations. Praising the Kurdish Prime Minister's efforts to resolve the issue, he stressed the need for 'public awareness campaigns,' noting that 'banks are prepared to facilitate payments.' The PUK's head also cautioned that Baghdad faces similar financial difficulties, urging economic reforms to prevent further instability. On political cooperation, Talabani called for greater unity between the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to strengthen their position in negotiations with Baghdad. 'The Kurds must unite to protect the interests of the Region's citizens,' he stated. On the security front, the PUK's head urged action against rogue groups launching drone attacks. 'If these groups are not integrated into the security forces, they must be dismantled,' he remarked, vowing retaliation if attacks continue. 'For every drone that targets us, we will respond with two.' Regarding territorial disputes, Talabani reaffirmed Kurdistan's commitment to federalism, calling for the full implementation of the Iraqi constitution. 'The KRG affirms that we are part of a federal Iraq,' he noted, stressing the need for national unity. 'As Iraqis, we must recognize our country's diversity and remain united.'
Rudaw Net
22-02-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraq's Development Road has Erbil's ‘complete support': President Barzani
Also in Iraq President Barzani arrives in Baghdad Unfinished Stories: Tragic stories of child marriage in Iraq Two Sunni factions form alliance ahead of 2025 Iraqi elections Remains of 32 Yazidi victims return to Shingal A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Development Road has Erbil's 'complete support,' President Nechirvan Barzani said in Baghdad on Saturday, despite objections that it bypasses the Kurdistan Region. Calling the ambitious railway and highway network designed to link the Persian Gulf to Europe via Turkey and position Iraq as a major regional trade corridor a 'historic step toward a stable and more prosperous Iraq,' Barzani said that 'in the Kurdistan Region, we believe that a politically and economically stable Iraq is a national interest.' He made his comments in a speech at the Baghdad International Dialogue. He arrived in the Iraqi capital on Saturday morning to participate in the two-day event, held under the slogan 'Communication for Development and Regional Stability.' The conference has drawn key officials, including Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and Mohamed El Hassan, the acting head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). In his address, Barzani emphasized that the Kurdistan Region views Iraq's stability as a shared national interest. 'We hope [the Development Road project] will serve as a true model of partnership among Iraqis of all ethnicities, religions, and sects,' he said, adding that Iraq's diversity is a 'source of strength.' The president also commended Sudani for spearheading the initiative, stating, 'I want to reiterate appreciation to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for [this project] and all the efforts he has made in this direction.' He said the prime minister has demonstrated Iraq's potential to be 'a bridge for dialogue rather than an arena for conflict.' 'It is true that we have challenges … Our victory lies in our ability to manage diversity, our internal differences, and strengthening partnership spirit, in addition to premising rules for good governance, and consolidating political and economic stability for Iraq, ' he added. On the sidelines of the conference, Barzani met with the Iraqi prime minister. 'We had a productive discussion this morning in Baghdad on recent developments in the country, stability of the wider region, and other pressing issues,' he wrote on X. The Development Road project is being advertised as something that will reshape Iraq's economy, but it has been a source of friction between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The KRG has been unhappy that no Kurdistan Region highways or rail links are included in the main corridor and is worried it will not benefit economically. There are also concerns that the centralization of trade routes through federal territories might endanger the Kurdistan Region's authority over cross-border trade and customs excise. The KRG has requested Baghdad adjust the route to include Kurdistan Region's infrastructure, saying it will boost the success of the project.
Rudaw Net
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
President Barzani arrives in Baghdad
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Baghdad on Saturday to attend the Baghdad International Dialogue. He is expected to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani during his stay in the Iraqi capital, Rudaw has learned. The theme for the seventh edition of the annual conference is 'Communication for Development and Regional Stability.' The two day event will be attended by numerous local and foreign officials, academics, and experts. Discussion topics will include Iraq's Development Road project, enhancing Iraq's regional role following Israel's war with Gaza, and the future of Syria, according to Iraqi state media. This is a developing story…
