Qubad Talabani: Peshmerga Reunification Should Not be Entangled in Political Disputes

Deputy Prime Minister's media office

Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Taylor led a senior State Department delegation, which Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani welcomed. They spoke about the Kurdistan Region's situation, Peshmerga Ministry reforms, and relations between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.

Daban Shadala, Deputy Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Mark Stroh, U.S. Consul General in the Kurdistan Region were present at the meeting. To strengthen the position of the region in Iraq, they discussed the unity and solidarity of the political parties in the region, as well as the urgency of resolving internal conflicts. 

Both parties emphasized the necessity of swiftly resolving the issues inside the Peshmerga Ministry concerning the reforms of the Peshmerga Ministry.

The Peshmerga forces can expect continued coalition support so long as the reform process within the Peshmerga Ministry is maintained, as stated by the Deputy Prime Minister. As a result, this process must not be slowed down by or become entangled in political disputes.  

The meeting also included a discussion of the state of relations between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. Concerning the issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, the delegation stressed the importance of all political parties and the government working together toward a common goal and negotiating with the federal government with a strong, cooperative plan. 

Both sides acknowledged the urgency of finding a workable solution to the budget and salary crisis currently impacting Kurdistan Region employees. 

The immediate resumption of oil exports and the elimination of obstacles to the implementation of the budget law are the two main objectives here. 

The meeting also discussed the development of civil society in the Kurdistan Area. Since civil society organizations are the foundation of a free and democratic society, both parties agreed that the Kurdistan Regional Government needed to support and encourage them so that they could operate freely. In this context, the Deputy Prime Minister stated, "There should be no restrictions on the work and activities of organizations and journalists." 

Talabani said: "While we appreciate the U.S. role in the Peshmerga force reform process and in resolving disputes between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, we also believe it is essential that the U.S. give the Kurdistan Region more support in other areas, such as economic reform, higher education, environmental protection, and ways to combat climate change."


PUKMEDIA