SULAIMANI (ESTA) — A delegation from the U.S. State Department met with Kurdish officials and political leaders in Erbil on Wednesday, according to the U.S. embassy.
U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq Affairs David Copley accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Matthew Tueller visited Erbil on Wednesday.
The U.S. officials met with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani as well as Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Co-leader Bafel Talabani and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani during their two-day visit to the Kurdistan Region.
The group discussed a range of security, political, social and economic issues, including U.S. commitment to partnership with the ministry of Peshmerga and reform process within the ministry, the U.S. embassy said in a statement.
The U.S. delegation expressed support for continued dialogue between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to resolve their suspending issues, the statement read.
KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani called on the United States to assist with “peaceful resolution of disputes with the Federal Government and play a moderator role,” KRG said in a statement.
Despite a series of meetings, Erbil and Baghdad have yet to reach a final agreement on their disputes regarding oil and revenue.
A KRG delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani visited Baghdad on Wednesday in an effort to resolve issues and reach a deal with the federal government. The KRG had showed readiness to reach an agreement with Baghdad.
The state department’s delegation expressed support for cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil on budget and energy issues, stressing that “coordination would aid the investment climate”.
The U.S. delegation also encouraged the Region’s leaders to promote unity among Kurdish political parties to ensure “greater security and stability”, stressing the importance of freedom of expression and the media in the Region, according to the U.S. embassy’s statement.
Regarding the demonstrations in Sulaimani and Halabja provinces, the U.S. officials expressed concern over violence occurred during the demonstrations. Eight people were killed and scores were wounded in the anti-government protests.
Angry protesters also set fire to headquarters of several political parties and government offices in the provinces.
Regarding energy sector, the state department’s delegation said the U.S. companies remain interested in exploring business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region and that such investments would “aid vital diversification of the local economy”.
The KRG prime minister welcomed further U.S. investment and expertise, according to the KRG’s statement.
