President Bafel Outlines PUK's Vision at Baghdad Dialogue Conference

PUKMEDIA

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the PUK.

During his participation in the 7th Baghdad Dialogue Conference, the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Jalal Talabani, outlined his views on the political situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region. He pointed out that "the PUK is working towards establishing a unified Kurdish front to take part in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Iraq."

Formation of a Strong Government in Kurdistan Region
President Bafel Jalal Talabani stated during the conference: "The recent elections in the Kurdistan Region have been held, and it is essential that we form a strong government in the Kurdistan Region. We seek an effective and robust government, and discussions are ongoing to form this government."

He further explained: "Our aim is to have genuine and effective participation in the next government. We must focus on improving the living standards of our people and strengthening our relations with Baghdad and the international community. This is our central goal, and through collaborative efforts, we can address most of the challenges we have encountered in the past."

President Bafel added, "The Kurdish position will be strengthened through unity and collective cooperation, including in Baghdad, and we hope to reach a joint agreement on forming the next government."

Protests in Sulaymaniyah
Regarding the recent protests in Sulaymaniyah, President Bafel said: "When we look at Sulaymaniyah, it is evident that citizens are exercising their rights. It is unacceptable to stop citizens from demonstrating. We are actively working on resolving citizens' issues, and the primary cause of the demonstrations is a lack of trust in the government."

President Bafel revealed that during his meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss issues like nationalising employees’ salaries and the differences between My Account and salary nationalisation, he stressed the need to establish a banking system that meets citizens' needs and ensures fair salary distribution. He added: "We must work together to serve the citizens and employees of the Kurdistan Region."

The Upcoming Elections in Iraq
President Bafel continued: "We emphasise the importance of Kurdish unity on all matters, and we stress the necessity of holding the upcoming elections in Iraq. We aim to form a unified Kurdish bloc to participate in these elections and act in a united manner to secure Kurdish rights. Weapons should be confined to the state and not be in the hands of armed groups outside state institutions."

Article 140: Addressing the Issue of Disputed Areas
He also stressed the need to address the issue of disputed areas, saying: "We must implement Article 140 to avoid further conflicts or disputes. If we do not implement this article, the problems will persist. We advocate for coexistence among all communities and must live and cooperate together. The issues of disputed areas must be resolved according to the Constitution."

The Situation in Syria: Protecting Kurdish Rights
Regarding the situation in Syria, President Bafel added: "Everyone must act responsibly regarding the events in Syria. The situation in Syria is still unclear, and we must protect the rights of all communities within Syria. A government must be formed that represents and serves all groups, including Kurds, Christians, and others. We support the protection of Kurdish rights in Syria, particularly those who fought against ISIS. There must be comprehensive dialogue with major powers regarding Syria's future."

The Path to Peace in Türkiye
Regarding Türkiye, he stated that the PUK does not believe that violence can resolve Türkiye's problems. "I recently met with Turkish officials, and our discussions were constructive. The best path to peace in Türkiye is through inclusive dialogue and mutual understanding."

He affirmed: "The PUK is widely praised for supporting the peace process in Türkiye. We continue our discussions and negotiations to back this process and urge all countries, including neighbouring ones, to support the peace process in Türkiye. We are playing the role of mediator, and we have confirmed our commitment to supporting the peace process. The PUK is a Kurdish party that stands for peace and prosperity."

The US and Iran
The PUK President also talked about the relationship between Iran and the United States, stating: "Although Iran has a rich civilisation, the West must recognise that the Iranians are highly intelligent. With the administration of Donald Trump, new opportunities are anticipated for peace talks between the two nations, paving the way for a fresh start in the Middle East."

He also said: "The PUK is a smaller force in comparison to the US and Iran, yet it can engage in dialogue with both sides. The question remains, why cannot they negotiate together and strive to champion peace in the region?"

"The PUK has always played a proactive role in fostering peace and preventing bloodshed. It is the strength of the PUK that allows it to bring the conflicting parties to the negotiating table and seek to resolve issues through peaceful means," President Bafel stated.




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