US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in a bilateral discussion that underscored the strong partnership between the United States and the region. The meeting, which took place today at the US Embassy in Erbil, Iraq, focused on expanding business opportunities, promoting regional stability, and strengthening democracy.
During the conversation, Secretary Rubio emphasized the importance of the US-Iraqi Kurdistan Region relationship in driving economic growth and security cooperation. The Prime Minister highlighted the need for the immediate reopening of the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline, which is crucial to protecting past US investments and attracting future investment.
The Secretary and Prime Minister agreed that this pipeline project would not only create jobs but also enhance regional stability by increasing energy trade between Iraq and Turkey. They also discussed ways to promote people-to-people exchanges and educational collaborations between the two countries.
The meeting marked a significant step in deepening the US-Iraqi Kurdistan Region partnership, which has been a cornerstone of US policy in the region for years. The US Embassy in Erbil welcomed this opportunity to engage with Prime Minister Barzani and to discuss ways to strengthen ties between their nations.