High ranking officials from Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (YNK) declared that the September 25 referendum results won’t be cancelled as demanded by Iraqi government.

After the meeting in Dakuk both parties agreed to negotiate jointly with Baghdad and defend the decision by Kurdish people in the independence referendum.

President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, Vice-President Kosrat Rasool, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, and the President of Iraq, Fuad Masum, are attending the meeting.

Iraqi government started a blockade against Kurdish region after the September 25 referendum on independence. Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi said that the negotiations between Baghdad and Arbil will start only after the referendum results are cancelled.