Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Washington, D.C. on May 23. The meeting focused on enhancing trade and investment between the United States and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR).
According to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, "Secretary Rubio and Prime Minister Barzani discussed opportunities to further increase trade and investment between the United States and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR)." Secretary Rubio praised Prime Minister Barzani for securing agreements with U.S. companies aimed at expanding natural gas production in the IKR, a move that is expected to support Iraq's progress toward energy independence.
The discussions also covered shared interests in safeguarding the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria. Secretary Rubio emphasized continued U.S. support for a robust IKR, describing it as a crucial element of the relationship between the United States and Iraq.
