Top US official meets with Kurdistan Region’s president, PM

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Joey Hood was received by the Kurdistan Region’s President Nechrivan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Erbil on Wednesday, discussing the latest developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Barzani and Hood discussed the latest political developments in Iraq, Erbil and Baghdad ties with the US, the threat of the Islamic State (ISIS), and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with the federal government, according to a statement by the Office of the President.

“Both agreed that it is important to resolve issues and remove obstacles before the political process in Iraq” and form a government that responds to the demands of people, it added.

The leaders also touched on freedom of speech, human rights, developments in Ukraine and Afghanistan, the statement noted. 
Hood also met with PM Barzani, discussing the latest developments in Iraq and the Region with him.

“Both sides discussed the political process in Iraq and efforts to form the country’s next government, as well as the development of ties between the Kurdistan Region and the United States,” read a statement by PM Barzani’s office.

“Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the Kurdistan Region seeks to resolve issues with Baghdad on the basis of the Constitution, adding that they will under no circumstances cede the Region’s constitutional rights,” it added. 

Hood “emphasized the US’s continuous support and partnership with the Kurdistan Region within a federal Iraq,” the premier said in a Facebook post.