President Masoud Barzani welcomed Joshua Harris, Chargé d’Affaires of the united states embassy of iraq, to Pirmam in Erbil for high-level talks on strengthening the US Kurdistan strategic partnership. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, regional stability, and Iraq’s political trajectory.
According to a statement from Barzani Headquarters, Harris reaffirmed Washington’s support for the Kurdistan Region within a federal Iraq. He emphasized that the United States seeks to deepen the US Kurdistan strategic partnership while maintaining strong ties with Baghdad.
Harris stressed that stronger bilateral relations depend on Iraq’s sovereign decision-making. He stated that Iraq must prioritize national interests and maintain independent policymaking. Therefore, he linked long-term cooperation to constitutional governance and institutional stability.
The U.S. diplomat also praised President Barzani’s role in shaping Iraq’s political process since 2003. He described Barzani’s influence as vital to Iraq’s political trajectory and future stability. Moreover, he noted that consistent dialogue between Erbil and Washington strengthens the US Kurdistan strategic partnership.
For his part, Barzani reaffirmed his long-standing call for respect for the Iraqi constitution. He emphasized the supremacy of law, partnership, and balance in relations between Erbil and Baghdad. Furthermore, he stressed that consensus must guide the formation of any future Iraqi government.
Barzani also highlighted concerns regarding budget allocations and unresolved disputes affecting the Kurdistan Region. He called for fair treatment and full constitutional implementation. In addition, he underscored the importance of Iraq maintaining sovereign decision-making while pursuing balanced regional relations.
The meeting addressed developments in Syria and internal political dynamics within the Kurdistan Region. These discussions reflected the broader regional context shaping the US Kurdistan strategic partnership.
Since 2003, Barzani has played a decisive role in Iraq’s post-Saddam political landscape. The longstanding relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the United States continues to center on security cooperation, political dialogue, and shared regional interests.