Talabani spoke at a meeting attended by diplomatic envoys, international organizations and agencies at the PUK headquarters in Erbil on Thursday, April 28, where he spoke on elections, the financial state in Sulaimani and the export of gas and oil.

The PUK co-president alleged some oil companies were directed by political forces and used for personal benefit, adding such actions were unacceptable and a stance must be taken against them.

He stated the public demands transparency and he vowed to fulfil this demand, promising he would not stay silent over the future of the Kurdistan Region and the calls from the public.

Speaking on elections, Talabani said most political factions in the Region agreed with changing the election process and issuing a new law that would prevent fraud, NRT reported.

He stated the PUK announced the election law should not be under any political faction but instead should be agreed on through consensus and agreement in the Region.

Addressing the financial situation in Sulaimani, Talabani said the governorate and administrations of Garmian and Raparin were in a poor state and that the PUK would not remain silent over injustice, a lack of transparency, smuggling, discrimination and the waste of public income.

He warned against any side that would try to ruin stability in the Region, in particular in Sulaimani, Halabja, Garmian and Raparin, through imposing a financial crisis on those areas.

He stated the PUK would not accept provocation from any party and believed in the struggle for democracy and self-determination while rejecting autocracy.

The PUK co-president said the party would take every possible step toward correction past mistakes for the sake of the livelihood of the people.

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