Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, speaking at a special panel during the second Delphi Forum Slemani in Sulaymaniyah, stated that his past phone communications with Donald Trump and Abbas Araghchi had been very positive, and that current relations with Tehran and Washington are at a good level.

He pointed out that Iraq and the Kurdistan Region could, similar to Pakistan, play a central role and act as a bridge between countries, despite the differing perspectives of the Americans and Iranians toward one another.

Peace Process in Turkey
Regarding relations with Turkey, Bafel Jalal Talabani expressed optimism about the peace process in that country, saying the process is ongoing and successful. The PUK president emphasized that they have made every effort to ensure the peace process in Turkey succeeds and expressed satisfaction that relations with Turkey are improving. He added: “Our relations with Turkey are good, and I hope we can make them even better with our Turkish brothers.”

Government Formation and Internal Disputes
On the governance of Kurdistan, Talabani declared that “no one wants the previous government” and stressed that the new government should not be formed in the same way as the old one. He revealed that the delay in forming the new Kurdistan Regional Government is linked to certain officials within the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). He also noted the need for a new approach from Erbil toward Baghdad, since Baghdad demands respect for the Kurdistan Region in the same way that the Region must respect the federal government.

Strategy for Peace and Stability
The PUK president believes there is a good opportunity to build a better future and that Iraq must achieve full stability. Talabani emphasized the need for persistence in establishing lasting peace, and said the PUK has worked to reduce internal disputes. He reiterated that as long as dialogue and discussion continue, the chances of resolving problems will increase.

Delphi Economic Forum
Today, Saturday, June 6, 2026, the second international Delphi Economic Forum began in Sulaymaniyah with the participation of Bafel Jalal Talabani and a number of senior global decision-makers. The forum focuses on discussing the future of the economy, energy issues, and the region’s political challenges, with sessions continuing tomorrow.