ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Support for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is integral to the US approach in Iraq, the US Secretary of State told the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region in a meeting in Washington on Monday.

“Our support for a resilient KRG is integral to our 360-degree approach to Iraq,” Antony Blinken said while meeting with Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. “And so the opportunity today to reaffirm this support, reaffirm this partnership and the work that we’re doing together I think is important and timely.”

“We've had many periods together where we’ve been side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder under the most challenging circumstances.  This period has its share of challenges as well.  But being able to face them together is very important,” Blinken added.

Met with @masrourbarzani to discuss the U.S. partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and encourage continued collaboration with the Iraqi federal government. The U.S. remains supportive of a resilient Iraqi Kurdistan Region as a cornerstone of our 360-degree relationship with… pic.twitter.com/6rdEfM4zSg

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 26, 2024

Barzani arrived in Washington earlier this week upon an invitation from Blinken and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during the World Economic Forum in Davos in January.

The Kurdistan Region has long been an ally of the US. Washington has for years provided military aid and training to the Region’s Peshmerga forces.

"We are very proud to say that we are American allies, and we have been through some very difficult times, and we are very thankful and express our gratitude for the support that the US has always given our people" KRG PM @masrourbarzani said during his meeting with @SecBlinken… pic.twitter.com/5fcHWSsyxb

— The New Region (@thenewregion) February 26, 2024

“We have been through some very difficult times.  And we are very thankful and we express our gratitude for the support that the U.S. has always given to our people,” Barzani said in the meeting.

According to a statement from Barzani’s office, the discussions between Barzani and Blinken focused on several topics, among them “protecting the Kurdistan Region's security, resolving budgetary disputes, ensuring the financial rights and constitutional rights of the people of Kurdistan, respecting the federal system and the constitutional framework of the region, protecting the rights of the minorities in the Kurdistan Region, resuming the exportation of Kurdistan Region oil, implementing the Sinjar Agreement and the withdrawal of militias.”

Barzani also met with several other US officials in Washington, including the state department’s Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.

Important discussion w/ @masrourbarzani on shared values, upholding human rights, and support to IDPs and refugees in the region. 🇺🇸 remains steadfast in our partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. pic.twitter.com/HaQDE7bGh2

— Under Secretary Uzra Zeya (@UnderSecStateJ) February 27, 2024

Barzani’s visit comes as his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is also planning to visit Washington, though his visit is considered to be more focused towards negotiating the withdrawal of the US-led coalition forces from Iraq.

Speaking to The New Region on Sunday, the KRG’s representative to the US said that Barzani’s visit to Washington “underscores the strong bilateral relations between the United States and the Kurdistan Region.”