Politics and pomegranates: US ambassador wraps up Kurdistan Region visit with key meetings and cultural stops

KURDISTAN REGION — U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski held a series of meetings with Kurdish leaders in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah over the past two days, following the October 20 parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region. Her discussions with key figures centered on the election process, government formation, regional security, and Peshmerga reforms. In separate meetings, she met with Kurdistan Democratic Party’s leader, Masoud Barzani, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan chief Bafel Jalal Talabani, and Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

The KDP leader, Masoud Barzani, welcomed Ambassador Romanowski in Pirmam, Erbil, with Steve Bitner, the U.S. Consul General in Erbil, also attending. According to a statement from Barzani Headquarters, “In the meeting, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq congratulated President Barzani on the success of the Oct. 20 Kurdistan parliamentary elections. She emphasized that holding the Kurdistan parliamentary elections in a democratic and peaceful atmosphere, amid the complex conditions in the region, reflected a pristine image of the Kurdistan Region to everyone.”

He expressed his gratitude to the international community and Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission for their support in ensuring the success of the elections, stating that it was accomplished “despite some technical problems.” The statement added, “In another part of the meeting, discussions addressed the steps for forming the new Kurdistan Regional Government and the negotiations between the parties. President Barzani indicated that the KDP has established a team to engage in talks with other parties on government formation and the agenda of the upcoming government, affirming that the KDP has no veto over any party.”

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The Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections took place on Oct. 20, with the Kurdistan Democratic Party securing the largest number of seats with 39. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan followed with 23 seats, while the New Generation Movement obtained 15 seats.

In another meeting, Ambassador Romanowski met with KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to discuss the new government formation and regional security issues. “We agreed on the importance of a new cabinet to continue to advance the agenda to serve all citizens and communities in the Kurdistan Region. I emphasized that the parties’ votes and shares should determine a new government configuration and lead to a government that is inclusive, strong, and unified,” Masrour Barzani said in a statement.

“We also exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In that regard, we agreed on the need to maintain security and stability and safeguard Iraq and the Kurdistan Region from the consequences of the conflict,” he added. Ambassador Romanowski, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, highlighted their discussion on Peshmerga reforms, stating, “Pleased to meet with PM Masrour Barzani to reaffirm U.S. support for the swift formation of a government that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of the IKR’s people. We also discussed regional developments and the adoption of Peshmerga reform efforts.”

On Sunday, Ambassador Romanowski extended her visit to Halabja, marking her first official trip to the city. There, she met with Halabja Governor Azad Tofiq to discuss U.S. support initiatives for the local community. According to a post shared by the U.S. ambassador on X, the discussions focused on “U.S. support for women farmers in Halabja and ways to increase educational outreach to the city’s youth through English language programs and U.S. educational exchange opportunities.”

The ambassador’s visit coincided with Halabja’s annual Pomegranate Festival, a prominent food and agricultural Êevent that recently attracted nearly 300,000 visitors from across the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and abroad. During her visit, Ambassador Romanowski toured the Kurdistan Farm in Halabja with Mayor Nuxsha Nasih Ahmed. “Strengthening agribusinesses and tourism across the IKR will help diversify the region’s economy and create fulfilling jobs,” she tweeted.

Ambassador Romanowski also paid respects at the Halabja Memorial and Peace Museum to honor the victims of the 1988 chemical attack, which resulted in over 5,000 deaths and more than 10,000 injuries. “We will continue to promote peaceful coexistence and tolerance in Iraq,” she posted.

Following that, Bafel Jalal Talabani, the PUK leader, received Ambassador Romanowski at his headquarters in Dabashan, Sulaymaniyah, where they discussed the current state of the Kurdistan Region following recent elections and the formation of a new government. According to a statement on Talabani’s official Facebook page, “Bafel Talabani provided an update on the situation in the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing PUK’s commitment to a new strategy in government formation.”

Talabani expressed, “Our efforts are focused on establishing a national and responsible government toward the citizens, a just government that does not discriminate between cities and serves every area equally.” He commented on the past administrations’ tendencies, stating, “Past administrations have often operated in favor of specific party or personal interests, an approach that is no longer viable. The new government is from the people and should serve the people.”

Talabani also addressed the importance of maintaining stability in relations between Erbil and Baghdad and emphasized “genuine partnership” in governance. “It is a duty for all to act responsibly in dealing with regional conflicts and prevent the country from becoming a battleground,” he noted.

Ambassador Romanowski described her meeting with Talabani as “productive,” reiterating U.S. support for the Peshmerga and governmental reforms in a post on her X account. “Productive meeting with PUK President Bafel Talabani in Sulaymaniyah to discuss government formation, U.S. support for the Peshmerga, and Peshmerga reform. Resilient KRG institutions will contribute to a secure, sovereign, and stable Iraq,” she tweeted.

Transcript of interview with US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski