President Barzani Welcomes New and Former US Consul General in Erbil

On Sunday August 10, 2025, President Masoud Barzani welcomed Consul General Gwendolyn Green, the new US Consul General in Erbil, and Steve Bitner, the former US Consul General, in Salahaddin. During the meeting, President Barzani extended his best wishes to both consuls for their respective roles and expressed gratitude to Mr. Bitner for his significant contributions to strengthening relations between the United States and the Kurdistan Region during his tenure. He acknowledged Mr. Bitner's efforts in coordinating reforms within the Ministry of Peshmerga.

President Barzani also reflected on the vital support provided by the United States following the 1991 uprising, the fall of the former Iraqi regime, and the fight against ISIS, emphasizing the importance of this partnership.

In response, the former US Consul General expressed his appreciation for the support he received from President Barzani and various government agencies throughout his time in the Kurdistan Region. He underscored the strong ties between the US and the Kurdistan Region and discussed the current political landscape, including the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections and the formation of a new cabinet for the Kurdistan Regional Government. He commended President Barzani's role in stabilizing the situation in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting also covered recent developments in the region, including the peace process in Türkiye and the situation in Syria.