Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Victoria Taylor, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the U.S. Department of State, on Wednesday and discussed strengthening bilateral relations, efforts to form the new KRG cabinet, and resuming oil exports.
According to the KRG readout, Deputy Assistant Secretary Taylor emphasized the vital role of the Kurdistan Region as a key partner of the United States.
“I had a productive meeting with DAS Victoria Taylor to address key priorities: resuming KRI oil exports, ensuring financial entitlements of the people of the Kurdistan Region, and maintaining stability in Iraq and Syria,” Prime Minister Barzani posted on X.
I had a productive meeting with DAS Victoria Taylor to address key priorities: resuming KRI oil exports, ensuring financial entitlements of the people of the Kurdistan Region, and maintaining stability in Iraq and Syria. pic.twitter.com/SdQIkDoBi6
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) January 15, 2025
Furthermore, they both agreed on the urgency of resuming oil exports from the Kurdistan Region as soon as possible, given its importance to all involved parties and the significant harm caused to Iraq’s federal budget by the suspension.
On March 25, 2023, Kurdish crude exports through Turkiye were stopped after an international arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, halting 450,000 barrels per day of crude oil exports to international markets.
Both officials also discussed the need to secure the constitutional rights and financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Region. Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the Kurdistan Region has fully met its obligations under the budget law, and Baghdad must fulfill its responsibilities as a federal government.
The situation in Syria was another key focus of the discussions, with agreement on the importance of maintaining security and stability and ensuring the rights of the Kurdish people and other components of the country are upheld, the KRG said.
In a separate meeting, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, on his return from a trip to Baghdad, also met with Deputy Assistant Secretary Taylor and emphasized the importance of addressing the concerns between Erbil and Baghdad in alignment with the Constitution, legal frameworks, and existing agreements.
They agreed on the need to uphold peace and stability in the region while refraining from engaging in the tensions and conflicts in the Middle East.
President Nechirvan Barzani met with Ms. Victoria Taylor, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq and Iran, to discuss U.S.-Kurdistan ties, Erbil-Baghdad relations, KRG cabinet formation, and regional stability. Both sides stressed resolving issues per the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/JWGR5UIybu
— KRP Media (@MediaKRP) January 15, 2025
Additionally, President Masoud Barzani also met with Deputy Assistant Secretary Taylor in Erbil’s Salahaddin.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on the political and security situation, as well as the latest developments in Iraq, the region, and Syria.
Read More: President Barzani’s Envoy Visits Kurdish Parties in Syria
Deputy Assistant Secretary Taylor praised President Masoud Barzani’s efforts in sending his special envoy to Syria to engage with Kurdish parties and reiterated the United States’ support for all initiatives aimed at fostering unity among Kurdish factions and achieving stability in Syria and the region.
