ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – A recent meeting between leaders of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) transpired in an "extremely positive" atmosphere, despite failing to agree on a unanimous candidate for Iraq's presidency, said PUK’s spokesperson on Saturday.

President Masoud Barzani, leader of the KDP, and PUK leader Bafel Talabani met in Erbil's Pirmam on Wednesday to discuss an array of issues, most notable among them finding common ground regarding a unanimous candidate for Iraq's presidency. The meeting concluded without reaching an agreement on the top post.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the PUK's leadership on Saturday, spokesperson Karwan Gaznayi said that the Wednesday meeting with the KDP was "extremely positive," and that "it transpired in an extremely positive and calm environment."

"Despite the lack of an agreement, it was a very positive meeting," the PUK spokesperson said, adding that it saw discussions around the latest regional developments and the security, financial, and political challenges facing the Kurdistan Region and the wider region, as well as ways to address them.

Gaznayi said that the priority for both the KDP and PUK at this time is "to protect Kurdistan."

An informed source told The New Region on Wednesday that the Pirmam meeting saw a good level of understanding on some issues between the two sides, but noted that differing views remained, preventing any agreement, including on naming a unanimous presidential candidate.

The New Region has learned that the PUK and KDP are set to meet again later this week.

Addressing questions regarding the Iraqi presidency, Gaznayi said that the public will be made aware through statements once an understanding is found between the two top Kurdish parties, without elaborating further.

The Iraqi presidency, which is reserved for the country's Kurdish component per Iraq's informal power-sharing system, is constitutionally required to be settled by the parliament within 30 days of the new legislature's first session, with the deadline having passed in this case on January 28.