The two parties were represented by delegations led by PUK Co-President Lahur Sheikh Jangi and Member of Gorran’s Executive Body Jalal Jawhar respectively. It was the first such meeting between the two parties since the PUK held its Fourth Party Congress in late December, NRT reported.

Dabashan is the location of the resting place of the late PUK Secretary General Jalal Talabani and holds symbolic significance for the two parties, as the site of a since abandoned agreement of understanding between their respective leaderships.

The PUK also plans to meet with officials from the Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG) later on Wednesday.

In recent weeks, cooperation between the parties in the Kurdistan Region have become increasingly strained because of an armed standoff in Zini Warte between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK and perennial jostling over affairs in Baghdad, which rumble along as Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi tries to form a new government.

Compounding those political tensions, the Kurdistan Regional Government is facing a major budget shortfall caused by a drop in oil prices and a budget transfer freeze imposed by Baghdad.

Reporter’s code: 50101