PUK's Baghdad Talks Centre on Service-Oriented Government and Unresolved Issues

P.U.K 10:36 AM - 2026-01-25

The PUK delegation's meetings with Iraqi parties.

At the midst of a highly sensitive political juncture, marked by a deadlock in government formation and delays in fulfilling constitutional obligations, a high-level delegation from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) arrived in Baghdad on Saturday, 24 January 2026, for an intensive round of political talks. The visit underscores the importance of a strong and consistent Kurdish presence at the centre of Iraqi decision-making, aimed at stabilising the political process and establishing a service-oriented partnership government capable of addressing the challenges of the current phase.

The delegation, headed by Qubad Talabani, and comprising Darbaz Kosrat Rasul, Khalid Shwani, and  Yousif Goran, held a series of meetings with senior Iraqi political leaders. These included Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Ammar al-Hakim, Nouri al-Maliki, Hadi al-Amiri, Qais al-Khazali, and Mohammed al-Halbousi, in addition to other prominent political figures.

Discussions focused on mechanisms to accelerate the formation of the new Iraqi government and the necessity of building a broad political consensus among all communities of Iraqi society. The talks emphasised the need for a strong, efficient, and service-oriented government committed to implementing the constitution, enhancing political and security stability, and improving public services and living conditions for citizens.

The PUK delegation stressed that resolving outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad—particularly those related to the federal budget and public sector salaries—must be a priority for the next government. The delegation underscored that these matters constitute constitutional rights and should not be subject to political disputes.

The visit comes amid rapidly evolving regional developments, especially in Syria, highlighting the urgent need to unify national discourse and strengthen coordination among Iraqi political forces. Such coordination is essential to safeguarding Iraq’s security and stability and preventing the spillover of regional crises into the country.

The PUK delegation’s engagements reflect a firm belief that the current stage requires an active and responsible political presence in Baghdad, a shared national commitment to upholding constitutional obligations, and the formation of an inclusive government. Such a government, the delegation emphasised, must be capable of resolving disputes, reinforcing stability, and establishing a genuine partnership between Baghdad and Erbil based on the constitution and Iraq’s supreme national interests.

The following is a summary of the first day of talks:

Qubad Talabani: Next Iraqi Government's Priority Should Be Resolving Issues Between the Region and Baghdad

The PUK's delegation met with Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, where the delegation reaffirmed the importance of establishing a strong and efficient government that is acceptable to all communities of Iraqi society.

The delegation emphasised the need for the next government to uphold and implement the Iraqi Constitution, advance economic development, and improve public services.

They also reaffirmed that, from the perspective of the PUK, the foremost priority of the incoming Iraqi government should be resolving outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, in accordance with constitutional principles.

Qubad Talabani: Next Iraqi Government Must Prioritise Resolving Salary and Budget Issues

The PUK's delegation met with Qais al-Khazali, Secretary-General of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq movement, in Baghdad. 

During the meeting Qubad Talabani conveyed the views of the PUK on the process of forming the next Iraqi government, emphasising the need to establish an efficient government that serves all Iraqis equally.

He also emphasised that the PUK believes all issues in Iraq, including those between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, must be resolved through adherence to the Iraqi Constitution. Talabani  noted that the foremost priority of the next Iraqi government must be addressing outstanding disputes between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, particularly issues related to the federal budget and public sector salaries.

Qubad Talabani, al-Amiri Underline Importance of Enhanced Cooperation Among Iraqi Parties

The PUK's delegation met with Hadi al-Amiri, Secretary General of the Badr Organisation, where both sides exchanged views on the current challenges facing the country.

The two parties agreed on the importance of enhanced cooperation among Iraqi political forces to form a government that is commensurate with the current stage and capable of maintaining security and stability across Iraq. They also stressed the need to resolve outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad in accordance with the Iraqi Constitution.

Qubad Talabani: Next Iraqi Government and KRG Must Prioritise Resolving Their Outstanding Issues

The PUK's delegation met with Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Wisdom Movement, where the two sides agreed on the urgent need to build broad political consensus among parties representing all communities of Iraqi society to enable the swift formation of a new government.

During the discussions, Talabani emphasised that the PUK maintains that the priority of both the next Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) should be resolving outstanding issues between them, particularly the federal budget, which he described as a constitutional right of the people of the Kurdistan Region that should not be subjected to political disputes.

Qubad Talabani Emphasises Need for All Iraqi Parties to Cooperate and Coordinate

The PUK's delegation met with Nuri al-Maliki, leader of the Rule of Law Coalition.

Addressing the challenges facing the country, including the economic situation and issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, Talabani emphasised the need for all Iraqi parties to cooperate and coordinate in forming a government that is commensurate with the current stage, capable of maintaining security and stability across Iraq, and makes significant progress in public services and economic development.

He reaffirmed that the next government must resolve disputes between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad in accordance with the constitution, while work to develop the economy and improve public services and the livelihoods of citizens.

Qubad Talabani, al-Halbousi: Next Government Must Serve All Iraqis Equally

The PUK's delegation met with Mohammed al-Halbousi, leader of the Progress Party, where both sides agreed that the next government must be formed on the basis of the consent and demands of all communities of Iraqi society, and must serve all Iraqi citizens equally.

During the talks, Talabani also referred to the regional situation, stressing the need for political forces representing all Iraqi communities to cooperate and work together in order to maintain security and stability across the country.



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