Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani chaired a meeting with the political parties of the Kurdistan Region today in Erbil, attended by Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The meeting exclusively discussed the upcoming elections in the Kurdistan Region.

At the meeting, President Nechirvan Barzani started by thanking Mrs. Plasschaert and the political parties for accepting the invitation of the Kurdistan Region Presidency to hold today’s meeting. The President expressed hope that the political parties reach an agreement to determine an election date and resolve the existing differences. The President emphasized the importance of the elections for the Kurdistan Region and stated that: “Delaying the elections will harm the image and standing of the Kurdistan Region.”

Mrs. Plasschaert delivered a speech about the significance of the political parties reaching an agreement on the election issue and setting a date for the process to take place. She also expressed the full support of the United Nations for the elections to be held successfully. Furthermore, Mrs. Plasschaert stressed that all political parties should reach a conclusion soon, because of time constraints.

Later, Mr. Mustafa Said Qadir, the Vice President of the Kurdistan Region, presented the report of the appointed presidential committee on the election issue, with the political parties expressing their views on the issue and thanking the Kurdistan Region Presidency for its efforts to bring the political parties together. They also commended the continuation of the meetings.

It was decided that the last meeting will be held in early September to complete all discussions regarding the election issue and to solve the problems that face the process. The Kurdistan Region Presidency and the political parties will continue to discuss and prepare for the elections in cooperation with the UNAMI’s team of experts.