President Barzani receives US Deputy Secretary of State

President Masoud Barzani received Andrew Keep Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, and his accompanying delegation, which included a number of diplomats from the State Department and the US Embassy in Baghdad.

The meeting discussed the political situation in the region and the political and security developments in Iraq as well as the relations between Erbil and Baghdad. The meeting welcomed the decision of the Iraqi government on the re-export of Kirkuk oil through the Kurdistan Region, describing it as the right decision. The delegation also expressed appreciation for the position of President Barzani and the KRG on the export of Kirkuk oil through the pipelines of the Kurdistan Region.

The two sides also agreed that the political situation after the Iraqi elections and the formation of the new government, created the opportunity for the region and Baghdad to address the problems and coordination and cooperation between them, hoping not to create obstacles to this new opportunity.

At the end of the meeting, they discussed the situation in Nineveh and Kurdistan regions outside the region's administration, and exchanged views and views on ways to normalize the situation in these areas and how to manage them, while securing the rights and demands of religious and national components and the return of displaced persons to their areas.

In the same meeting, the delegation expressed appreciation for the role of the Peshmerga in the war against Da'ash and in ensuring security and stability, stressing that America always respects the courage and sacrifices of Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan.