Masoud Barzani

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – August 20 – President Massoud Barzani received Stephen Fagin, the Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, today in Salahaddin. U.S. Consul General Wendy Green was also in attendance.
The meeting addressed recent developments in the region, relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and oil exports. Both parties reaffirmed their support for U.S. oil companies that have signed agreements with the Kurdistan Regional Government in accordance with the law and the constitution. There was a consensus that the issue of salaries and financial entitlements for the Kurdistan Region should be resolved and that public financial payments to the citizens of Kurdistan Region should not be part of political disputes.
Discussions also focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States. Other topics included the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections, the situation in Syria, ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, and positive progress in forming the new Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet.