US Deputy S. of State urges talks between Erbil, Baghdad in meeting with Iraqi PM

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The United States Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan visited the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Sunday to meet with the Iraqi prime minister and other high-level officials, urging dialogue between Iraqi and Kurdish governments.

He urged Baghdad to continue dialogue with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and to continue to work with the KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his deputy to reach accommodations on the payment of salaries and reopening of airports based on the Iraqi constitution. 

“Unity is Iraq’s best weapon against ISIS and other extremist groups, so we greatly support the practical dialogue occurring between Erbil and Baghdad,” the Deputy Secretary of State told journalists at a press conference after the meeting. 

“Mr. Sullivan reiterated US’ support for Iraq in different sectors, especially the great victories accomplished by the Iraqi forces against ISIS and supporting efforts for rebuilding and reinvigorating the economy,” read a statement by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s office. 

 

The two sides agreed to strengthen ties and to activate the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) signed between the two countries in 2008. 

 

“As we maintain our robust security partnership to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS, we are reinvigorating our political and economic relationship to support Iraq’s economy to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” a statement by the US embassy in Iraq read.

 

The Deputy Secretary of State and Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Nizar Khairullah convened the fifth meeting of the SFA Higher Coordinating Committee on Sunday. 

 

The US is ready to help Iraq in terms of education, investment, trade, and other important factors for reconstruction and stability. 

 

The Deputy Secretary of State also met with the Iraqi Speaker of the Parliament Salim al-Jabouri on Sunday. 

“The Speaker of the Parliament iterated the importance of continuous coordination between Iraq and US in counterterrorism,” a statement on the Facebook of the Speaker read.  

 

They discussed developing economic, trade and development ties. 

“The IDPs, parliamentary elections and reconstruction of liberated areas were discussed,” it further added. 

 

Both sides agreed on solving issues based on serious dialogue with the participation of every side for rebuilding an Iraqi community. 

 

The outstanding issues between the KRG and Iraqi government are in their initial phase. Both the KRG PM and Iraqi PM have met twice, once in Baghdad and the second time in Davos.

 

The KRG PM has iterated the need for solving issues based on the Iraqi constitution.