US Consulate General in Erbil Welcomes KDP and PUK Agreement on Upcoming Parliamentary Elections
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq - The US Consulate General in Erbil issued a statement on Monday expressing its support for the agreement reached between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to proceed with the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iraqi Kurdistan.
In a tweet, the US mission stated, "U.S. Consulate General - Erbil welcomes PUK and KDP agreement on holding IKP elections and support for Peshmerga unification and reform. We look forward to seeing progress as the two sides come together and negotiate the remaining issues to benefit the people of Iraqi Kurdistan."
U.S. Consulate General - Erbil welcomes #PUK and #KDP agreement on holding IKP elections & support for #Peshmerga unification & reform. We look forward to seeing progress as the two sides come together and negotiate the remaining issues to benefit the people of Iraqi #Kurdistan. pic.twitter.com/FhyUTq5Yvd
— U.S. Consulate General Erbil (@USCGERBIL) July 31, 2023
The two ruling parties of the Kurdistan Region convened in Sulaymaniyah to resolve longstanding disputes, including electoral differences, in an effort to strengthen regional unity and democratic processes.
Following the meeting, the KDP and PUK released a joint statement confirming their commitment to abide by the date determined by the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region for the parliamentary elections. As the Presidency proposed February 25th of the next year as the election date, the parties will now engage in discussions with other political factions in the region to reach a consensus.
The establishment of a common date is a crucial step before the federal electoral commission in Baghdad can commence preparations to oversee the voting process in the region.
Furthermore, the KDP and PUK reiterated their dedication to the unification of Peshmerga forces and ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, highlighting their joint commitment to enhancing security and stability in the Kurdistan Region.
This agreement between the KDP and PUK marks a significant step forward in resolving internal conflicts and ensuring a united stance in advancing democratic practices and governance in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The forthcoming parliamentary elections hold the potential to shape the future of the Kurdistan Region, and the US Consulate General in Erbil's statement reinforces the international community's interest in a successful and inclusive electoral process that benefits all citizens of Iraqi Kurdistan.
