Kurdistan’s ruling parties to discuss referendum with Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – A delegation from the two main Kurdish parties is scheduled to visit Iraqi officials to discuss the independence referendum and hoisting Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk.

On Wednesday, a joint delegation from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), headed by Fuad Hussein, the Chief of Staff of the Kurdistan Region Presidency are to spend two days in Baghdad.

In a press conference, Fuad Hussein told reporters that the joint delegation would meet with the Iraqi President, Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker and the political parties.

Hussein added that the purpose of the visit is related to the current situation in the Kurdistan Region and the relations between Baghdad and Erbil.

He added that the meetings with the Iraqi officials would also discuss the issue of raising Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk and holding independence.

The meetings follow the Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani's prompting on Sunday when he chaired a joint meeting between the political bureaus of KDP and PUK on April 2.

Following the meeting, the KDP and PUK released a joint statement, stating that they discussed the independence referendum in detail based on the right of self-determination of the people of Kurdistan.

The report added it was the right of the people of Kurdistan to determine their political and administrative way of life through a referendum and an independent state.

The two main ruling parties have launched a round of meetings to discuss the process of holding the independence referendum with other Kurdistan Region political parties.

Editing by Ava Homa