Perry visited Erbil on Tuesday afternoon after a stop in Baghdad earlier in the day during a tour of the Middle East.
“Today we’re seeing increased stability, security across this entire region. That gives us a very precious opportunity to think about building, to invest, to be partners,” said Perry.
The focus across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq has turned to stabilization and mapping out a future for the country a year after ISIS was declared militarily defeated.
“The time has arrived for us to focus on rebuilding the economy, for revitalizing the infrastructure,” said Perry, explaining that his discussion with Barzani focused on detailing what the Kurdistan Region needs.
“That leads to the reason that I’m here today – to do all that I can, all that the United States can to together build a future that realizes the opportunity that resides in this region,” he said.
Comparing the Kurdistan Region’s energy resources to his native state of Texas, a comment that drew chuckles from Barzani, Perry highlighted the potential for the people of Kurdistan.
“Our opportunity to secure a future of prosperity, of opportunity has never been better,” he said.
No agreements or plans were announced by either party.
The United States is invested in its relationship with the Kurdistan Region. Its new consulate in Erbil, now under construction, is America’s largest consulate complex worldwide.
Barzani, former president of the Kurdistan Region, remains a power player as head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which won the most seats in the September parliamentary election. His son and nephew are poised to take on the positions of prime minister and president.
Barzani said he and Perry also discussed relations between the regional and federal governments.
“Fortunately, there is a new atmosphere and a new opportunity. And this gives hope. We both stressed to make every effort to resolve all the problems through dialogue,” he said.
Barzani himself made a rare visit to Baghdad to meet with the new leadership and throw his support behind Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi.
Later, the KRG released a statement on Perry's meeting with presidential nominee Nechirvan Barzani.
Perry and his accompanying delegation “reiterated that the US will continue to support stability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad to resolve the problems between the two,” it said.
“They also valued the sacrifices the Kurdistan Region made in the war against ISIS.”
Prime Minister Barzani “expressed gratitude to the US for bringing Erbil and Baghdad closer together to reach some mutual understanding.”
Barzani “showed the readiness of the Kurdistan Region to resolve the problems and hoped the US plays its role in this matter, especially in the question of exporting Kirkuk oil.”
“The KRG has shown the will to make all kinds of facilitation in order for the amount exported to be used in the interests and as general revenue for Iraq.”
“They also discussed the situation of the region and further development of bilateral relations.”
Last updated 9.21 pm
