Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

President Barzani and Vice President Pence discuss developments in Kurdistan Region and Iraq

2019-08-30T08:41:54.000000Z
International relations
Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, and Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States of America, during a telephone conversation, discussed the situation in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and stressed the continuing partnership between the United States and the Kurdistan Region.


They emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and the need for a joint mechanism to achieve this, along with US help to counter the dangers of terrorism resurfacing.


In a phone call that took place on 27 August, President Barzani pointed to the improvement in Kurdistan Region's relations with the Iraqi federal government, and to the progress in Kurdistan’s economic recovery, stressing the readiness of the Kurdistan Region to resolve all problems with the Iraqi government through dialogue. President Barzani spoke positively about the work of the joint committees between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi federal government.


The President said he would continue to pursue Erbil’s policy of protecting and supporting the religious and national components of the Kurdistan Region and promoting a culture of coexistence. He stressed the cooperation and support of the Kurdistan Region, in reconstruction and security, to enable those who were displaced to return to their homes.


For his part, Vice President Pence thanked President Barzani and the Kurdistan Region, stressing his country's appreciation and gratitude for the role of the Peshmerga in the fight against terrorism and the defeat of ISIS, as well as his greetings to the families of martyrs and victims of terrorism.



He expressed his satisfaction with the improved relations between Erbil and Baghdad and stressed that America will continue to cooperate and support the parties in solving problems and confronting terrorism. The Vice President said the US will continue to assist the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in providing aid to the displaced and to the groups who wish to return to their homes.