PM Barzani, US envoy discuss bilateral relations in Erbil

ERBIL – Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met Monday with Joshua Harris, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, for talks on bilateral ties, regional issues, and economic cooperation.

U.S. Consul General in Erbil Wendy Green also attended the meeting, which Barzani said focused on expanding relations. “I underlined the importance of deepening bilateral relations,” he said in a statement.

According to the KRG statement, Harris reaffirmed Washington’s support, describing the Kurdistan Region as a “key partner of the U.S.” and pledging continued cooperation across multiple sectors.

Full statement:

I received today Joshua Harris, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Baghdad.

In the meeting, attended by US Consul General in Erbil Wendy Green, we discussed developments in Iraq and the wider region, as well as ways to further expand relations between the Kurdistan Region and the US.

I congratulated Mr. Harris on his new post, wished him success in his duties, and underlined the importance of deepening bilateral relations.

Mr. Harris highlighted the strategic role of the Kurdistan Region as a key partner of the US and reaffirmed Washington’s support and commitment to strengthening ties across various sectors.

We agreed on the need to resume oil exports as soon as possible and emphasized the importance of the federal government providing the Kurdistan Region with salaries and financial entitlements.