ERBIL — Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) delegations met on Monday to discuss the formation of the new cabinet and the issues pertaining to Kirkuk.

Dilshad Shahab, a member of the KDP negotiating team, told reporters after the meeting that the leading Kurdish parties are “closer than ever” to a final agreement on appointing a new governor for Kirkuk and form the cabinet of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

He noted that the future governor of Kirkuk will be for a Kurdish figure who would represent all different components of Kirkuk, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, and others.

“We are working in parallel on the formation of the ninth cabinet [in Kurdistan Region] and appointing a governor [in Kirkuk],” Shahab said.

PUK Spokesperson Latif Omar said his party is ready to help the formation of the new KRG cabinet before its legal deadline (12th July).

“We are ready to take part in the ninth cabinet as a real partner, and preparations have already begun in this regard.”

Bas News