The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil on Wednesday officially opened its new compound, marking a significant milestone in the partnership between the United States and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The event was attended by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael Rigas, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, Kurdistan Democratic Party President Masoud Barzani, and other senior officials.
“The new consulate we celebrate today is more than a series of buildings and infrastructure. It is a testament to the value of the relationship between the United States and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” Deputy Secretary of State Rigas said at the event.
KRG Prime Minister Barzani added that “this building is rising like a mountain, a solid, unshakable rock in Erbil, which is a testament to the old, strong bond between the United States and the people of Kurdistan and Iraq.”
Furthermore, Deputy Secretary of State Rigas underlined that the United States is “grateful for the Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s role as an effective, capable security partner and trusted voice in Iraq and throughout the region. A strong, stable, and resilient Iraqi Kurdistan Region is a foundational pillar of the relationship the United States enjoys with Iraq.”
President Masoud Barzani on the sidelines of the event, also met the U.S. Deputy Secretary affirmed the continuity and expansion of U.S.-Kurdistan Region relations across all fields, describing the opening of the largest U.S. consulate facility in Erbil as an important step and a clear message that America stands with a strong, stable, peaceful, and prosperous Kurdistan Region.”
President Barzani described the day as historic for relations between the United States and the Kurdistan Region
Deputy Secretary of State Rigas urged “Iraqi and Kurdish partners to meet this moment to disempower and dismantle Iran-aligned militias that continue to engage in violent and destabilizing activities and only serve to harm Iraqi sovereignty.
“We saw this threat again just last week, with the outrageous terrorist attack against Khor Mor,” he said about last week’s attack on the Khor Mor gas field in Kurdistan, which led to widespread power outages affecting civilians.
“U.S. President Donald Trump has prioritized commerce over conflict. We actively support U.S. companies in Iraq and see the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as a dynamic entry point to Iraq’s markets for American companies,” he also said. “These companies will bring superior technology, increase local workforce development, and promote higher health and safety standards.”
Moreover, the U.S. official said he is grateful that the KRG continues to be a strong advocate for U.S. economic interests, including playing a pivotal role in reopening the Iraq-Turkey pipeline – benefiting U.S. oil companies – and helping Iraq on its path to energy independence.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani at the event conveyed his “gratitude and appreciation to the government of the United States for their continued support of the Kurdistan Region over the past years.
“We fully support the efforts of President Trump to resolve issues and advance peace in the region. We also extend our appreciation for the appointment of the Honorable Mark Savaya as Special Envoy to Iraq. This is an important step. We hope that he will play a constructive role in assisting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all aspects.”
In a separate meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Rigas, Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude for the United States’ continued support to the Kurdistan Region over the years and reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s readiness to further strengthen bilateral ties across all sectors.
KRG Prime Minister Barzani in his speech at the opening event also highlighted the long-standing U.S.-Kurdish partnership, recalling U.S. support during the 1991 uprising, the establishment of the safe haven and no-fly zone, and later the U.S.-led Coalition’s role in helping defeat ISIS.
“It was the United States that toppled the most brutal dictator regime here in Iraq. So we in Kurdistan are very grateful to you, and we cannot thank you enough for everything that you’ve done for us. We are very proud allies of the United States and will continue to stand with you as we move to a new phase and start a new chapter,” he underlined.
“Now it’s time to build. Here in the KRG, we are firm believers and supporters of the policy of President Trump, about peace through strength, commerce, and not conflict. We will continue to work with you, and we’ll continue to work with the federal government of Iraq to build a country that respects the constitution and that tries to respect every ethnicity and religion that exists here in Kurdistan and in Iraq.
“We in Kurdistan are very proud that we are a land where everybody comes and seeks shelter, because the rights of everyone are protected, and this is possible because we did it together.”
