Latest news with #KDP-PUK
Rudaw Net
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
President Barzani, French ambassador discuss strengthening ties, regional events
Also in Kurdistan PM Barzani, Turkish energy minister discuss oil exports, energy cooperation KRG premier, PUK leader hail 'very good' progress in government formation talks KDP-PUK Sunday meeting on government formation among last ones: Spox Badinan journalist to spend six more months in prison: Lawyer A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with French Ambassador to Iraq Patrick Durel in Erbil on Sunday to discuss domestic and regional issues, including the latest developments in Syria. The meeting focused on strengthening France's relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and explored 'opportunities to enhance collaboration across various sectors,' read a statement from the Kurdistan Region's Presidency, adding that the two officials addressed broader regional dynamics, 'particularly the situation in Syria.' President Barzani expressed appreciation for France's 'ongoing support' to the Kurdistan Region and emphasized the 'importance of strengthening bilateral relations' between Erbil and Paris. For his part, the French ambassador reaffirmed his country's 'commitment to supporting both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region' and 'commended their efforts to foster stability in the region.' Durel also paid tributes to the victims of the Halabja chemical attack, which took place on March 16, 1988, and was commemorated on Sunday. At the height of the Anfal campaign, Saddam Hussein's regime carried out a series of genocidal acts against Kurds, including the deadly chemical attack on Halabja, which killed at least 5,000 civilians and caused long-term health effects for 10,000 more. Danielle Mitterrand, First Lady of France from 1981 to 1995, was a strong advocate for Kurdish rights during Saddam Hussein's regime. Known as the "Mother of the Kurds," she played a key role in campaigning for the no-fly zone that allowed the Kurdistan Region to develop its autonomy, and she inaugurated the first Kurdish parliament in 1992. France was also one of the first countries to establish a consulate in the Kurdistan Region following the fall of Hussein in 2003 and played a crucial role in supporting Erbil and Baghdad in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). In May, French Consul General to the Kurdistan Region, Yann Braem, announced that French investment in the region had reached $3 billion, with dozens of French businesses operating across various sectors.
Rudaw Net
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
KRG premier, PUK leader hail ‘very good' progress in government formation talks
Also in Kurdistan KDP-PUK Sunday meeting on government formation among last ones: Spox Badinan journalist to spend six more months in prison: Lawyer Kurdish leaders urge compensation for Halabja victims on 37th anniversary Akre mayor says over 2,000 torches prepared for Newroz A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister and senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) figure, Masrour Barzani, met with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani at Erbil's Pirmam subdistrict on Sunday to discuss the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) upcoming cabinet. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the two leaders described the talks as 'very good,' noting positive developments in the push. Referring to Sunday's meeting and a previous meeting he held with Talabani back in January, Barzani stated, 'We have held two very positive and good meetings to forge close ties and discuss topics that are important for the people of Kurdistan and the people of the region as a whole.' 'There have been excellent developments and understanding regarding many of these issues and we hope that the [KDP and PUK negotiation] teams can reach a final agreement with the same spirit to form the government in the nearest future,' Barzani added. In a similar tone, Talabani said, 'As far as I understand, the meeting was very very good. We reached an agreement on several strategic things that are to the benefit of our people. I believe that our discussions will continue. I think the objective of both sides is to form a government that will serve our people as soon as possible.' Earlier in the day, PUK spokesperson Saadi Ahmed Pira told Rudaw that the meeting was 'among the last' with most government formation topics having been 'settled.' The Kurdistan Region held its delayed parliamentary elections in October with no single party securing a majority. The latter means that a governing coalition will have to be formed, as has historically been the case, but the political parties have yet to reach a final agreement. The KDP came out on top, securing 39 spots in the 100-member legislature. The PUK came in second with 23 seats. Several opposition parties have claimed electoral fraud. The KDP and PUK, while rivals, have shared power in government since the establishment of the Kurdistan Region in the 1990s.
Rudaw Net
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
PUK seeks power-sharing guarantees from KDP
Also in Kurdistan KIU says governance in Kurdistan Region is backsliding Kurdistan Region leaders, officials welcome Ocalan's call on PKK to disarm Ocalan will ask the PKK to disarm: President Barzani President Barzani, Ameri discuss political developments, enhancing dialogue in Iraq A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) said they have made good progress in government formation talks with their historic rival, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), but are looking for guarantees of power sharing, including the ability to collapse the cabinet. The two ruling parties have held several meetings since the Kurdistan Region's long-overdue parliamentary elections last October to discuss the formation of the next cabinet. Their latest meeting was on Wednesday when they reviewed a draft government formation agreement. 'The Wednesday meeting was a very good one where most parts of the previously-prepared draft were finalized,' Saadi Pira, PUK spokesperson, told Rudaw's Sangar Abdulrahman in an interview that aired on Saturday. He said that their cooperation on drafting the 'very important' agreement has surprised many because of recent disputes between them and the heated election campaign. Any issues still unresolved will be directed to KDP leader Masoud Barzani and PUK president Bafel Talabani. 'We have discussed everything. I believe that this is a complement to the Strategic Agreement and must be the basis for the KDP-PUK deal to govern the Kurdistan Region, not only for years but more,' Pira said, referring to a previously-signed deal that allowed them to govern jointly in the past. The deal is no longer valid. Pira, however, said the PUK wants guarantees that they will have strength in the cabinet. The position of deputy prime minister, which has been held by the PUK for many years, should have power and the cabinet should automatically dissolve if they resign, he said. 'We want this as a guarantee because in some cases you might complain and the deputy prime minister may not go to work, but the government goes on normally, disregarding it,' he said. The incumbent deputy prime minister Qubad Talabani, a PUK member and Bafel Talabani's brother, and the rest of the PUK team boycotted government meetings for several months in 2022 because of disputes with the KDP. Prime Minister Masour Barzani, a KDP member, described that decision as 'weird.' 'We are absolutely against the idea of turning the Council of Ministers into a place for issues. All those who have taken part in this government should express their issues, criticism and opinions - if they have any - during meetings of the Council of Ministers,' he told Rudaw at the time. The KDP and PUK, while rivals, have shared power in government since the establishment of the Kurdistan Region in the nineties. For the past several governments, the KDP has held the posts of prime minister and president. In the October 20 parliamentary elections, no single party won a majority, meaning a governing coalition will have to be formed, as has historically been the case. The KDP won 39 spots in the 100-seat legislature, followed by the PUK with 23. Pira said that they have agreed on many topics. 'We have agreed on many things such as construction, services, resolving people's issues, the salary issue, how to deal with incomes, oil policy, border crossings, relations with neighboring countries, Kurdistan Region's status, and many other things,' he said. Pira also said that the KDP has not labeled any positions as a red line, including those of president, prime minister, and interior minister.
