ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The forthcoming visit of Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to the United States is “an important step” toward strengthening Erbil-Washington ties, said the US top diplomat in the Region.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani on Wednesday announced that the Kurdish premier is set to visit the US in the “next few days,” where he will meet high-ranking American officials.

During a meeting on Thursday, US Consul General to Erbil Steven Bitner and Safeen Dizayee, head of KRG’s Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), discussed regional developments, as well as Barzani’s upcoming visit to the US.

“They stressed the need to strengthen bilateral relations and further coordination in various fields, especially in addressing common challenges and maintaining stability in the region,” read a statement by the DFR published on Friday.

Bitner labeled Barzani’s visit as “an important step to promote these relations and discuss timely issues.”

Barzani’s visit to the US comes a little over a month after he held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, discussing “the importance of strengthening the friendship and alliance between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.”

Prime Minister Barzani also shares a strong relationship with the current US cabinet in general.

The Kurdistan Region shares strong ties with the US. Washington has for years provided military aid and training to the Region’s Peshmerga forces.

Barzani on Tuesday visited the new building of the US Consulate in Erbil, set to be opened soon, and toured the complex with the US consul.

With 52,000 square meters, the new US Consulate General Erbil compound is set to become the largest consulate in the world.