US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Washington, D.C. on May 23, as the two leaders discussed opportunities to further increase trade and investment between the United States and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR).
The Secretary commended Prime Minister Barzani for finalizing deals with U.S. companies to expand natural gas production in the IKR, a move that will help Iraq move toward energy independence. This development is seen as a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
The meeting also touched on the shared interest in protecting the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria. Secretary Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for a strong and resilient IKR, which he described as a foundational pillar of the relationship between the United States and Iraq.
The discussions between the two leaders aimed to promote economic cooperation and stability in the region, with both sides looking to enhance their partnership in areas such as energy, trade, and security. The meeting was seen as an important step towards fostering greater understanding and collaboration between Washington and Baghdad on key regional issues.