Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received a senior delegation from the US State Department, headed by Mr John Sullivan, US Deputy Secretary of State, including Mr Douglas Silliman, US Ambassador to Iraq, Mr Andrew Peek, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, and Mr Eric Mayer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury. They were accompanied by officials from the US Consulate General to the Kurdistan Region.

In the meeting, also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, Mr Sullivan stressed his government’s commitment in continuing relations with the Kurdistan Region and reaffirmed his country's support to the people and government of the Kurdistan Region. He said the US Government hopes that issues between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government will be resolved on the basis of the Iraqi Constitution and through serious dialogue.

Regarding the International Conference on Reconstruction of Iraq to be held in Kuwait, he pointed out that donor countries will propose solutions for the reconstruction of Iraq. He deemed it necessary that the Kurdistan Region also benefits from it. He expressed hope that economic, political, and security stability in the region will be consolidated, and that the Kurdistan Region's important economic position will be restored.

Prime Minister Barzani welcomed the efforts of the United States and the coalition countries in promoting serious talks between Erbil and Baghdad. He affirmed his government’s commitment to continue dialogue with Baghdad toward resolving issues on the basis of the Iraqi Constitution.

Prime Minister Barzani discussed the Region’s situation including economic issues and the Kuwait Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq. He expressed hope that a KRG delegation will participate at the conference that will hopefully meet the reconstruction requirements of the Kurdistan Region.

At the meeting, they also discussed the importance of reforms needed to attract private sector investment in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

The internal situation, bilateral relations, coordination between Erbil and Washington to confront and eradicate violence, reconstruction of the country, and the political process in Iraq and Kurdistan were also discussed.