Iraqi President calls for immediate dialogue between Erbil, Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Presidency on Wednesday called for the immediate start of a dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad and for holding parliamentary and provincial elections on time.

A statement released on the Iraqi Presidency website said Fuad Masum, the Iraqi President, met with two of his deputies, Ayad Allawi and Nuri al-Maliki at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad to discuss some pressing issues in Iraq.

“The meeting discussed the political and security developments in the country as well as the upcoming elections, the federal budget law and the situation in Kirkuk and Khurmatu,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the meeting emphasized on making all efforts to resolve all the current issues between the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in ways that would deepen national unity and enhance the democratic, federal system.

The meeting agreed on three main points including the immediate start of a dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad under the supervision of the Presidency and technical support from the UN that aims at having natural relations between both sides on the basis of the Constitution and the rulings of the Federal Court, the statement added.

Iraqi Presidency has called on all relative authorities to meet and discuss election laws and holding the parliamentary and provincial elections on its constitutional date.

The meeting also called on the components of Kirkuk to hold an immediate meeting and discuss mechanisms to normalize the situation in the province while protecting the rights of all people as well as the national interest.

Editing by Sam A.