Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani had two separate meetings this week with senior U.S. officials, thanking the United States for its continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the fight against terrorism.
The Kurdish President met separately with U.S. Ambassador Steven Fagin, the Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and a U.S. Congress delegation led by Senator Joni Ernst.
The Kurdistan Region Presidency in a readout said the meeting with the U.S. Congress delegation led by Senator Ernst, held on Sunday, focused on U.S. efforts to sustain peace and stability in Iraq.
The discussions also covered the security situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the ongoing ISIS threat in Iraq and Syria, and recent developments affecting the wider Middle East.
During the meeting, Senator Ernst reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, stressing the importance of peace, stability, and the unity of political forces and parties within the Kurdistan Region.
On Saturday, President Barzani also met with Ambassador Fagin, discussing Erbil-Baghdad relations, as well as U.S. relations with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Read More: Ambassador Fagin Returns to Iraq as U.S. Charge d’Affaires
During the meeting, President Barzani expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Fagin for his contributions to strengthening his country’s ties with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and commended his efforts to bridge the perspectives of Erbil and Baghdad.
Previously, Ambassador Fagin served as Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil from 2018 to 2020.
Read More: U.S. Reaffirms Support for Kurdistan in President Barzani Meeting
Ambassador Fagin and the new U.S. Consul General in Erbil Wendy Green earlier on August 19 also met with President Masoud Barzani and underscored the United States’ commitment to the security partnership with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The United States has long-standing ties with the Kurdistan Region in trade, security, and military ties, dating back to Operation Provide Comfort in 1991, when thousands of U.S. air and ground forces delivered relief supplies and protected the Kurds from the Iraqi army.
During a visit to the United States by Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in May, the KRG signed two oil deals worth $110 billion.
This year, the largest U.S. consulate will be opened in Erbil, which, according to U.S. officials in Erbil, reflects the United States’ commitment to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
