ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday received Joshua Harris, the Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Baghdad, discussing bilateral ties, Erbil-Baghdad financial issues, and the Iraqi government formation process.

“We agreed on the importance of respecting the constitutional and federal structure of the Kurdistan Region, and providing the rights and financial entitlements of the Region [by the federal government],” read a statement from Barzani’s office on the meeting.

The Kurdistan Region’s financial disputes with the federal government are ongoing despite the signing of a landmark deal to resume Kurdish oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline in September.

Kurdistan Region’s civil servants have yet to receive their salaries for the months of November and December.

Harris reiterated Washington’s support for Erbil, describing that the Kurdistan Region as “a strong and important partner and ally of the United States in the region.” The Kurdish premier thanked the US for their support.

The Kurdistan Region shares strong ties with the US. Washington has for years provided military aid and training to the Region’s Peshmerga forces. Prime Minister Barzani also shares a strong relationship with the current US cabinet in general, evident by his strong reception by US officials during his May visit.

In early December, the United States opened its new Consulate General building in Erbil in a ceremony attended by top Kurdish and American officials.

Located nearly eight miles from Erbil’s city center, the 800-million-dollar compound is the largest US consulate building across the world, sitting on over 50,000 square meters.