US Deputy Secretary of State reiterates support for the KRG
KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani welcomed US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman, and other officials Monday afternoon in Erbil.
They discussed an upcoming donor conference for rebuilding Iraq hosted by Kuwait in February, with the Sullivan expressing hope “that the KRG can also benefit from projects put forth by donor countries for Iraq," read a statement from the KRG.
The KRG would like to attend, Barzani told the US delegation, so they can “meet what it needs for rebuilding," the statement added.
The international conference will be held on February 12-14, hosted by Kuwait together with the World Bank and the EU.
The KRG Ministry of Electricity announced two weeks ago that it would prepare proposals and participate in the conference with the backing of the UK for attracting investors and donations for improving electricity services in the KRG.
The US delegation also discussed bilateral relations and political process in the KRG.
Barzani thanked the US government and other coalition-member countries for paving the way for discussions between Erbil and Baghdad.
Sullivan said he hoped outstanding issues could be solved based on the Iraqi constitution through serious dialogue.
The Deputy Secretary said the US government "was encouraged" by recent practical discussions and called for continued engagement between Erbil and Baghdad on key issues, according to a statement from State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert.
They "also discussed the importance of reforms needed to attract private-sector investment in the IKR and the rest of Iraq."
The KRG Prime Minister has met with the Iraqi Prime Minister twice since the breakdown of relations following the Iraqi Army incursion into the disputed territories and is expected to have a third meeting soon as progress is being made in talks between committees from the two governments.
Earlier on Monday, the KRG confirmed they
250 billion Iraqi dinars (about $210 million) from Baghdad for the salaries of Kurdish state employees, particularly the health and education ministries while the lists are being audited.
Sullivan also met Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-
and other Iraqi high ranking officials on the weekend.
He urged Baghdad to continue dialogue with the KRG and to continue to work with Barzani and his deputy to reach accommodations on the payment of salaries and reopening of airports based on the Iraqi constitution.
Updated at 10:35 a.m. with US statement.