KDP, PUK Join Forces on Financial Rights

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have committed to intensifying joint efforts to resolve the ongoing issue of public sector salaries and financial entitlements, following a high-level meeting of their politburos on Monday.

The meeting was held on July 14, 2025, after President Masoud Barzani welcomed PUK President Bafel Talabani and his accompanying delegation. The two parties convened to discuss current events, developments, and challenges concerning the Kurdistan Region and its relationship with the federal government, with a particular focus on the financial dues owed to the region's employees.

According to a joint statement, after a thorough discussion and analysis of all political, economic, and social aspects, both sides agreed to take all necessary steps toward a solution. The statement specified that these efforts will be conducted within the constitutional framework and will rely on the coordination of both parties.

Another part of the meeting was dedicated to further strengthening the relationship between the KDP and the PUK. The parties aim to overcome mutual obstacles and challenges in order to protect the constitutional entity of the Kurdistan Region and its achievements.

In this regard, the meeting emphasized the importance of unifying the stance of all political parties in both Kurdistan and Iraq, urging them to be cooperative and supportive in resolving the matter.

Following the meeting, Imad Ahmad, a member of the PUK delegation, told Kurdistan24's Nawras Abdullah, "We held a very good meeting and decided with the KDP to deal with Baghdad with a single policy."

Ahmad told Kurdistan24's correspondent Nawras Abdullah that the KDP and PUK held a very productive meeting. Je said that, "They were in agreement on most topics related to the salaries, rights, and financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Region."

The member of the PUK Politburo also stated that in the meeting, they decided with the KDP to deal with Baghdad with a unified policy, having one decision and one stance.

He also stated they decided that even if the KDP and PUK delegations visit Baghdad separately, both sides will have a single policy and a single vision, which is to protect the interests of the Kurdistan Region.

The member of the PUK delegation also said that in the meeting, most of the time was dedicated to discussing the salaries of the people of the Kurdistan Region and their rights and financial entitlements.

You can read the full text of the joint statement below:

Joint Statement of the Politburos of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)

Today, July 14, 2025, His Excellency President Masoud Barzani welcomed His Excellency Bafel Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and his accompanying delegation. A meeting of the Politburos of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party was held to discuss the events, developments, issues, and problems concerning the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, particularly the financial entitlements and salaries of the Kurdistan Region's employees.

After discussion, exchange of views, and analysis of all political, economic, and social aspects, both sides agreed to intensify all efforts to resolve the issues and secure the salaries and financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Region. They also agreed that all necessary steps towards a solution should be taken within the constitutional framework and with the coordination of both parties.

Another part of the meeting was dedicated to further strengthening the relationship between the KDP and the PUK in order to overcome obstacles and challenges and to protect the entity of the Kurdistan Region and its achievements.

In this regard, the meeting emphasized unifying the stance of all political parties in Kurdistan and Iraq to be cooperative and supportive in resolving this issue.