US envoy meets with PM Barzani, emphasizes dialogue between Erbil, Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – US Special Presidential Envoy for the global fight against the Islamic State (IS), Brett McGurk, met with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region on Thursday for the first time since the Sep. 25 referendum on independence.

McGurk emphasized the“friendship and relations between Erbil and Washington DC, and hoped further development between both sides in all aspects,” according to the Kurdistan Regional Government 's(KRG) press office.

Both sides agreed on the importance of de-escalating the current tensions between the KRG and the Federal Government of Iraq and highlighted the need to start a serious dialogue within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution to resolve disputes.

In #Erbil tonight, expressed support for a strong & united #KRG within constitutional framework of #Iraq. Welcomed calls for dialogue to resolve issues with GOI. Expressed condolences for loss of #MamJalal, and recent earthquake victims. pic.twitter.com/w6B9dMKpwy

— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) November 16, 2017

Ties between Erbil and Baghdad have considerably deteriorated following the Sep. 25 independence vote in the Kurdistan Region that saw 93 percent of voters favoring secession.

Nechirvan Barzani, the Kurdish Premier, highlighted Erbil's relationship with Washington DC and urged the international community to facilitate dialogue between the KRG and Baghdad.

Barzani, who previously accused the US of taking side with their silence, reaffirmed that dialogue is the only solution to the current conflict and that the Kurdistan Region, which is against the use of violence, was always ready for talks.

The current situation between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and in the wider region, was also discussed in the meeting, according to the KRG statement.

Following the Sep. 25 vote, the Federal Government of Iraq has imposed collective punitive measures against the Kurdistan Region.

Editing by Nadia Riva