Why is it important to publish the exact text of our agreement with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan?

Political agreement between

Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

From the view point of responsibility and protection of the achievements of our nation which was gained by sacrifices and years of struggle and the notion of prolonged strives and establishment of the parliament and the Regional government. In order to further advance our achievements and gains for our people, with the appreciation of the blood of our martyrs and secure a bright future for Kurdistan. To protect unity of the people of Kurdistan, reinforcing the constitutional rights and the return of Kirkuk and the Kurdistani territories outside the Kurdistan Region administration to Kurdistan Region and to further strengthening relations between the two sides, both sides have reached the following political agreement:

1. The two sides shall abide by the territorial integrity of Kurdistan Region and the supreme interests of the Kurdistan Region. They shall protect its political and administrative entity and shall strengthen the institutions and governance of the Region.

2. In accordance with the real partnership, the two sides shall jointly build, manage and strengthen the constitutional, legal and administrative institutions of the Kurdistan Region, so that the authorities are within the framework of legality, and their exercise must draw their strength from the will of the people and the legal and formal institutions.

3 - In order to strengthen the defence system and meet the challenges to protect the peace and security of Kurdistan Region, both sides will endeavour through Kurdistan Regional Government all their efforts to unify the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan and the Internal Security Forces, in an attempt to reach the full unification of the forces within the framework of national institutions.

4. Both sides together with their full capabilities shall support KRG to implement the reforms and bring about more transparency, fight corruption, strengthen the monitoring institutions in Kurdistan Region. If any of those steps to achieve the goals needed an enactment of relevant Laws, both sides will together work like one team to pass the laws.

5. Both sides shall be supportive of KRG to have a balanced and comprehensive program to implement administrative activities throughout Kurdistan.

6. A: both sides will try during the fifth parliamentary term to complete the constitution of Kurdistan and solve the various views on the political system of Kurdistan through the constitution by consensus. At the same time both parties will be supportive of the implementation of the central reform program by Kurdistan Regional Government and administrative decentralization to transfer power to the lower administrative levels.

6. B: Until the ratification of the constitution of Kurdistan Region, all the laws which will have national dimensions to be prepared by consensus including the elections Law.

7. Both sides will try through KRG to make joint efforts and steps to diversify sources of income in Kurdistan. In addition to Oil and Gas, developing agriculture, industry and tourism sectors shall be considered as priorities. At the same time developing the banking system, Public services, establishing Service Council, and pension Fund, will be mutual goals of both sides.

8. Both KDP and PUK agree that the legal institutions of KRG relating to the transparency of natural resources including Oil and Gas to be activated and serve the interests of the People of Kurdistan and enact all the laws that have been proposed in the Oil and Gas Law of Kurdistan Region. The establishment of the Oil and Gas Revenue Fund has to be accelerated in accordance with the law issued by the Kurdistan Parliament.

9. Both sides should take a common position with the federal government, regarding the constitutional rights of Kurdistan Region, the full implementation of the federal system, dealing with the outstanding problems between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government, including the issue of oil and gas, the budget of the region and Peshmerga and conducting census. This common position between both sides should be reflected through the legal and constitutional institutions in the Kurdistan Region, and by the representatives of the region in the federal institutions. The formation of a parliamentary bloc by the parties from Kurdistan in the Federal Parliament will be the goal of both sides.

10. Both sides are determined that Kurdistan Region's relations, at the Iraqi, regional and international levels, should be within the framework of the official institutions in Kurdistan Region. At the same time, both sides have a common view on how to deal with neighbouring countries, solving Kurdish problem in other parts of Kurdistan by peaceful means, and the respect of common interests and good neighbourhood.

11. Both sides are committed to respect the rights and freedoms of various sectarian and religious components in the Kurdistan Region, and to create opportunities for their participation in the political authority in the Kurdistan Region.

12. Both sides commitment to take a common position regarding the threats posed by terrorism against the security of the Kurdistan Region. On this basis, the two sides will continue to pursue a policy which is based on cooperation to confront terrorism and extremism, on the internal, regional and international levels.

13- Both sides agree that the ninth cabinet of Kurdistan Regional government must strive to enhance job opportunities and improve the livelihood of the people of Kurdistan through the provision of more service, the betterment of human rights, women rights and protection of the environment.

14- The speaker of Parliament and the deputy speaker will have common and coordinated position in Parliament which will have a reflection on the parliamentary work between the two parliamentary blocs of KDP and PUK .Both sides are in agreement that the position of the second deputy of the speaker of Parliament must be allocated to the other components and will be assigned through consensus.

15- Bothe sides agree that public finances, revenues and expenditures of Kurdistan Region should be rearranged. Therefore, their legal and constitutional restructuring by Parliament and Kurdistan Regional government have to be conducted in order to further strengthening transparency, justice and fair management of the revenues, expenditures and the public resources of the country.

16- The relations of Kurdistan Region will be conducted in accordance with the valid law and by the legal and constitutional institutions of Kurdistan Region.

A, In the Department of Foreign Relations, representations abroad, protocol, delegations and formal occasions, a balanced participation by both sides in the government should maintained

B, During the fifth term of Parliament legal review of the relations of Kurdistan Region needs to be undertaken and a Regional minister for this purpose needs to be appointed.

17- Both sides work together as one team to resolve the imposed situation in Kirkuk and other Kurdish areas outside the Kurdistan Region. A High Committee from both sides will be established to support Kurdistan Regional Government to normalize the situation in these areas and implement article 140. The realization of and the lawful rights of the Kurds in these areas will be the common goal of both sides according to the following:

a. Management of the special file on Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution including all judicial and administrative requirements on both Iraq and Kirkuk levels.

b. Management of the special file relating to the normalization of the livelihood and situation in Kirkuk.

c. The Kurdistan Regional Government, in collaboration with the federal government shall work to normalize the situation in the Governorate of Kirkuk and the areas outside the KRG administration (disputed areas), on political, administrative, military and security levels.

d. The process of appointing the Kirkuk governor is clarified in the annex to this agreement.

18- The adherence of both parties to all the provisions of this agreement and supporting the governing the entire Kurdistan is the common responsibility of both sides which will preserve the continuation of a genuine partnership.

For the implementation and follow up of the contents of this agreement a joint committee will be established, which will meet on monthly basis or when a meeting is required.

Kurdistan Democratic Party Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

4 March 2019

Annex to the political agreement between Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Kurdistan Democratic Party on the Governor and Governorate of Kirkuk

In Parallel with the formation of the regional government, necessary steps, starting from March 3, 2019, will be taken to solve the outstanding issues in the Governorate of Kirkuk, including the appointment of a new Governor, in accordance with an agreement between Masoud Barzani and Kosrat Rasul.

Kosrat Rasul Nechirvan Barzani

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Kurdistan Democratic party