PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) President Bafel Jalal Talabani and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met in Hewler (Erbil) on Sunday, after which the two sides held a joint press conference.

Bafel Jalal Talabani said during the press conference: "Our meeting was very good and we agreed on several strategic issues for the benefit of our nation and our talks will continue.”

"The goal of both sides is to form a government to serve our nation as soon as possible," he said.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said: "So far we have held two positive and good meetings to reach an understanding and discuss issues related to the people of Kurdistan and the region. There has been very good progress and understanding on most of the issues."

Additionally, he hoped that the teams of both sides could reach a comprehensive agreement on the formation of the government as soon as possible.

Speaking before the meeting, PUK Spokesperson Saadi Ahmed Pire said: "90% of the problems and differences have been resolved."

Pire further stated: "For regional security, peace, and stability, all parties must adjust their demands to accommodate one another and work towards establishing an efficient government and parliament. To this end, we must learn from the Halabja catastrophe."

A joint committee was previously established by the PUK and KDP to debate the formation of the government and to determine the points of disagreement between the two parties. Following a number of meetings, the PUK-KDP joint negotiating committee sent a draft proposal to the senior delegations of both parties to debate the points in order to reach a conclusion and form a government.

Kurdistan parliamentary elections were held in October of last year, and the Kurdistan Region is currently awaiting the formation of its new cabinet.

Title Photo: PUK Media