PUK President: Constitution Should Preserve Iraqi Communities' Rights

P.U.K 12:15 PM - 2023-07-24

President Bafel and al-Samarai meet in Baghdad

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) President, Bafel Jalal Talabani, had a series of meetings with various diplomats and politicians in Baghdad. 

Rafaat Abdullah, the Executive Decision-Maker of the PUK Political Bureau, Darbaz Kosrat Rasul, a member of the PUK Political Bureau's Executive Board; and Saadi Ahmed Pire, a Political Bureau Member, were also present at the meetings.

 

President Bafel: We Believe in Mutual Comprehension and Cooperation

The first meeting was with the Fazila party's Secretary General, Abukarar Al-Freji in which President Bafel Talabani  highlighted the PUK's consistent stance on national issues by stating, "We believe in mutual understanding and cooperation, oppose majority-minority politics, and want to ensure that the Constitution protects the rights of everyone."

The delegation also emphasized the development of relationships and the expansion of coordination.

 

President Bafel: Returning to the Constitution is Crucial to National Stability

The meeting with Mohammed Al-Halbousi, the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, involved discussions concerning the current political climate in Iraq and the role of parliament, with the importance of reaching an agreement among the various factions highlighted, especially in light of the need to pass legislation with far-reaching effects for the country as a whole and in the public interest. 

President Bafel Jalal Talabani reaffirmed the PUK's attempts to reach an agreement and intensify efforts to address the problems and produce a favorable outcome, saying: "Returning to the Constitution and sincere partnership is a key factor in the stability of the country." To overcome the challenges and advance the execution of political agreements, we must all work hard.

 

President Bafel: The PUK's steadfast approach is to find solutions

The growth of relationships and the expansion of coordination was discussed in the meeting with the Leader of the National Wisdom Movement, Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim. Also, the meeting covered the political climate in Iraq, settling disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, and a commitment to sincere collaboration. 

Bafel Jalal Talabani explained the PUK's viewpoint on these topics, saying: "The PUK will continue to pursue its unwavering policy and strategy to settle the disputes and arrive at a definitive agreement that protects the rights of the Kurdish people, and we are making every effort in this direction."

 

President Bafel: Fighting Terrorism is Duty of All 

The Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi and President Bafel addressed the country's security situation and the coordination between the military forces of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, reiterating the significance of expanding collaboration to preserve the stability and security of the nation. 

Furthermore, President Bafel Jalal Talabani highlighted the significance of military and intelligence cooperation and coordination in maintaining regional security, saying, "Maintaining regional peace and fighting terrorism is the duty of all of us, and for this, strengthening relations and expanding coordination between our forces is an important need of the period."

 

PUK President: Serving Our People is Our Priority

In the meeting with Qais Khazali, the secretary general of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, the discussion focused on recent developments and political changes, emphasizing the importance of strengthening legal and constitutional institutions to meet the needs of current events and citizens' demands. 

It also emphasized how crucial it is to work toward a national consensus on pressing issues and to expand coordination to remove roadblocks to the reform process. 

Concerning the disputes between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, as well as the PUK's efforts to resolve them, President Bafel stated: "Achieving the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region and serving our people is our priority, and our efforts will continue to achieve this goal."

 

President Bafel: People's Lives Should Not be Entangled With Conflicts

The importance of a strong judiciary, impartial courts, and effective law enforcement were all discussed at length with Fayeq Zedan, the head of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council. It also stressed how important it is to follow the law so that everyone in the country can feel safe. 

Supporting the national efforts to make the reform program a success and resolve the issues between Erbil and Baghdad was another topic on the agenda of the meeting. In this regard, President Bafel said, "All our efforts are to end the problems and overcome the obstacles."

In addition, he demanded that lives no longer be sacrificed in political conflicts and that the Supreme Judicial Council play its role in protecting the rights of the Kurdish people and the Kurdistan Region's financial entitlements, which is a constitutional issue determined within the framework of the general budget.

 

President Bafel: Communities' Rights Should be Protected

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), received Dr. Humam Hamoudi, Chairman of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq.

They discussed the country's overall situation as well as recent political changes, emphasizing compromise and genuine partnership to protect the rights of all nations and communities. 

The meeting also highlighted the PUK's long-standing relationship with the Iraqi Supreme Islamic Council, as well as its development and expansion. In this context, Dr. Humam Hamoudi praised President Mam Jalal and the martyrs of Al-Mihrab in the construction of the new Iraq, saying that the new history of Iraq was written in this house and important decisions were made here, so we remember those days with respect. 

In response, President Bafel Jalal Talabani presented the PUK's national strategy for all political equations and said, "We are enthusiastically moving towards coordination and working together because we believe that through understanding and cooperation with our friends, we can overcome challenges."

 

President Bafel: Upholding Political Agreements Stabilizes Iraq

The meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani involved discussions on the political, economic, and security conditions of the country and emphasized the importance of finding solutions and the success of the government's agenda to better serve the people. 

President Bafel Jalal Talabani reaffirmed his support for the government's agenda and stated that upholding political agreements and defending everyone's rights within the bounds of the law and the Constitution is the only way to ensure that the country remains stable and peaceful and that government programs are successful.

He urged that political issues, rather than being used to obstruct the implementation of the plan that the government had devised, should be used to the advantage of all of the communities that the country had to offer. 

President Bafel emphasized the significance of resolving the disagreements between Erbil and Baghdad and sending the region's financial entitlements within this framework. According to him, this is a right that belongs to Kurdistan's citizens and salaried workers, and it has nothing to do with any political party.

 

President Bafel: Constitution Protects All Communities Rights

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), also met with Hadi Al-Amiri, the leader of the Fatah Alliance, where Rafaat Abdullah, the PUK Political Bureau's Executive Decision-Maker; Darbaz Kosrat Rasul, a member of the PUK Political Bureau's Executive Board; and Saadi Ahmed Pire, a Political Bureau Member, were also present at the meeting. They talked about the most recent political, economic, and security issues.

Another topic of discussion at the meeting was further coordination and cooperation among political forces, as well as reaching a common vision for all equations, with both sides emphasizing the resolution of outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government in such a way that the constitution is the deciding factor.

President Bafel Jalal Talabani emphasized the provision of financial entitlements for the Region, as well as the continuation of national and constructive dialogue, and stated that compliance with the constitution is the most important factor in protecting the rights of all nations and communities in the country, and that stability and problem resolution also rely on the joint work and sincere efforts of political parties.

 

PUK President: Genuine Partnership Will Accelerate Steps to Build Prosperous Future

In the meeting with Nouri Al-Maliki, the leader of the State of Law Coalition, President Bafel Talabni and the same delegation discussed the dialogue and coordination between the political forces and parties in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to resolve the issues once and for all, ensure the success of the government's agenda, and achieve welfare for the citizens.

Regarding the constitutional rights of the Kurdish people and the political solution to the problems, President Bafel Jalal Talabani said that the constitution must be the basis for the solution of the problems, and the realization of the rights of the Kurdish people is within this framework. He also said that genuine partnership and a shared vision to overcome challenges will accelerate steps to build a more stable and prosperous future.

 

Iraqi President Meets PUK President

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, the President of the Republic of Iraq, Abdullatif Jamal Rashid met with Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), at the Baghdad Palace.

They discussed the overall situation in the country and the relationship between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Both agreed on the need to resolve outstanding issues in accordance with the Constitution and the law and through constructive dialogue between the political parties. They also agreed on the need for reinvigorated efforts to expedite the adoption of the oil and gas law.

President Rashid mentioned his intentions to complete the legislative requirements related to the implementation of Article 140 of the Constitution.

Furthermore, he also reassured the PUK President of the government's plan to implement a program to provide basic services to citizens and ensure a decent life for the Iraqi people.

Finally, they discussed preparations for provincial council elections and the Kurdistan Regional Parliament elections. They both concurred that there is a need to provide support to the Independent High Electoral Commission to ensure fair and transparent elections that meet the desire of Iraqis to choose their representatives.
 

 

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