ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday received an American delegation headed by Congressman Seth Moulton, discussing regional developments and Washington-Erbil bilateral ties.

“Congressman Moulton said that the Kurdistan Region is a trusted friend and ally of the United States in the region and stressed the importance of supporting the Peshmerga and protecting the security of the Kurdistan Region,” read a statement from Barzani’s office regarding the meeting.

The Kurdish premier thanked the US for its continued support and assistance for the Kurdistan Region and emphasized Erbil’s wishes for further developing bilateral ties in various sectors.

“One of the main topics of the meeting was to discuss the progress of the reforms of the Ministry of Peshmerga, and we both agreed on the importance of supporting and accelerating the reforms and unification of the Peshmerga forces,” the statement added.

The Kurdistan Region’s upcoming elections, the significance of resuming Kurdish oil exports, and the need to prevent further escalations in the Middle East were also highlighted in the meeting.

Barzani visited the US in February upon an official invitation from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, conducting several high-profile meetings in Washington.

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.