President Barzani and Rubio spoke via phone on Wednesday night about regional developments and the “strong partnership” between Washington, Erbil, and Baghdad, according to Barzani, and the Kurdistan Region Presidency said Rubio thanked the president for his efforts in resolving Baghdad-Erbil issues.
“Had a productive discussion with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. Cooperation between U.S. and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region contributes to the stability within Iraq and the broader region,” Rubio said on Thursday, adding that bilateral economic partnerships between the two sides “benefit both the American and Iraqi peoples.”
The US State Department also welcomed the conversation as one that supported regional stability and cooperation in Iraq, Syria, and the broader region.
“The Secretary commended the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for its partnership with U.S. companies and its efforts to harness domestic resources for Iraq’s energy independence,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
The US earlier in May significantly upped its investment in the Kurdistan Region, with two American energy firms - HKN Energy and WesternZagros - signing deals with the KRG valued at a combined $110 billion over their lifespans.
The deals - while rejected as illegal by Baghdad - were warmly welcomed by Erbil and Washington as a sign of deepening ties between the two sides.
During the call, Rubio “emphasized that U.S. support for the IKR [Iraqi Kurdistan Region] would remain a key aspect of the U.S. relationship with Iraq,” Bruce added.
Last week, Rubio labeled Kurdish autonomy in Iraq as the “linchpin” of America’s approach to the country, stressing that Washington values the economic success of the Kurdistan Region.
“The linchpin of our approach to Iraq is that autonomy that the Kurdish population has in that part of the country, and part of that is allowing them the economic lifeline that allows them to prosper and succeed,” he said.
During the phone call with President Barzani, Rubio labeled Washington’s support to Erbil as a “fundamental pillar of America’s strategic relationship with Iraq,” according to the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
Washington and Erbil enjoy strong relations. The US has been one of the primary backers of the Kurdistan Region since it secured autonomy in the 1990s and has played an instrumental role in the development of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, especially as the head of a global coalition against ISIS. It is also the primary backer of Peshmerga reforms.
The US is also set to soon open a new consulate general in Erbil that will be the world’s largest.
