Deputy PM: PUK Wants to be Active Participant in the Government Formation

Kurdistan 06:34 PM - 2025-02-27

Deputy PM Qubad Talabani.

Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region and member of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), participated in a panel discussion during the Erbil Forum 2025, where he confirmed that the PUK have taken good steps with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP regarding the government formation and that the PUK wants to be an active participant in its formation.

Formation of the new cabinet of the KRG

Regarding the meeting between the PUK and the KDP regarding the formation of the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Deputy PM Talabani: "The issue of forming a government is growing more serious for both sides, and the two parties have taken positive moves towards forming a government, although relations between the PUK and KDP were at a low point in the past."

"Although we have not discussed the question of settling posts, the PUK insists that it wants to be a partner in the government rather than a participant, as we want to be involved in critical decisions, unlike in the past," he stated.

"We want to have a more influential role in the next government and our discussion with the KDP focused on management mechanisms both within and outside the Region," he added.

The deputy PM further stated: "There has been distrust between the PUK and the KDP in the past. As a result, it is critical that we rebuild confidence, and in this regard, a strong cabinet must be formed only for the purpose of providing greater service to the people."

Regarding the relations between the PUK and the KDP, Talabani said: "The PUK has always had good relations with Nechirvan Barzani, who is both vice president of the KDP and president of the Kurdistan Region."

He added: "I am certain that the talks between the PUK President and the Kurdistan Region's President in Davos will strengthen relations, but the PUK emphasises that, while our previous agreements with the KDP contained many positive points, it is critical to understand why they were not implemented. We also want to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past."

He further stated: "The PUK has never been in favor of party differences being reflected in the government, which is why I did not attend government meetings for several months. It is true that the PUK and KDP are different in everything, but it is important to have a mechanism in place to settle the differences. We the KDP to be different from the past government and understand the PUK's worries and the the pressures of the street."

Erbil-Baghdad relations

Regarding the relations between the Iraqi Government and the KRG, Deputy PM Talabani said: "It is critical to understand that not all of our problems can be solved in Erbil; in fact, we must return to Baghdad to address some of them. It is important that we maintain a strong presence as Kurds in Baghdad, which is something that the PUK has always insisted on."

He added: "If we want a strong Kurdistan, it is important to be strong together in Baghdad to address the issues we have with Baghdad. The challenges are not limited to salaries and budgets, as the subject of disputed areas are becoming more complicated by the day."

Changes in Syria

Regarding the developments in the region in general and Syria in particular and their effects on the Kurdistan Region, the Deputy PM said: "True, all external issues affect the Kurdistan Region, but I think Syria is still undergoing other changes and is not expected to remain the same. It is very important that all communities participate in the new Syrian government. Therefore, the PUK will monitor the situation and see what happens in Syria."

He added: "The Kurds' role is very critical in Syria, but what is more crucial is that they return to Damascus and participate in the new Syria. We believe it is incorrect to marginalise the Kurds in the new Syria, and as the PUK, we must have a clear Syria strategy. We are going to open our Damascus office soon, notwithstanding previous misunderstandings."

PUK-Iran relations

Regarding the relations between the PUK and Iran, Deputy PM Talabani said: "The PUK's relations with Iran and our bad relations with Türkiye are not as black and white as some suggest, and the same is true for the KDP, which is said to have bad relations with Iran but good relations with Türkiye. Having said that, it is crucial to remember that Iran is a strong country in the area with a wise policy and extensive governance experience."

He added: "The PUK has never been a threat to any neighbouring country; on the contrary, we always tried to strengthen our relations with both neighbouring and other countries. We have always prioritised peace in our policies for the Kurdistan Region and beyond. We believe that dialogue will solve our problems, not war."

PUK-Türkiye relations

Regarding the relations between the PUK and Türkiye, Deputy PM Talabani said: "The PUK has a historical relation with Türkiye, which was founded by President Mam Jalal. We're currently trying to maintain our relation. Our relation may be cold right now, but it won't take much to warm up."

He said: "After President Mam Jalal's illness and death, the PUK faced a difficult situation within the party. The situation has undoubtedly influenced our foreign relations, but now that our party's internal situation has gotten way better, we can devote greater attention to our international relations."

“It is important for Türkiye to understand that the PUK and Sulaymaniyah are not a threat to it. It can review its policy," he added.

"Türkiye has been blockading Sulaymaniyah airport for a long time, and I think Türkiye itself is the loser of this decision. I can also say that both the Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional Governments have been neglectful towards Sulaymaniyah in this regard," Talabani said.

Regarding the role of the PUK in Türkiye's peace process

Regarding the role of the PUK in Türkiye's peace process, Deputy PM Talabani said: "The PUK fully supports the peace process in Türkiye, and we have clearly stated our support to the Imrali delegation, which recently visited the PUK on this matter. We want peace between the Kurdish and Turkish people in Türkiye."

"We have expressed to the Imrali delegation our readiness to support the peace process in Türkiye and we will support any action taken on this issue by the PUK," he said.



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