Kurdish Unity, Iraq Ties Dominate President Barzani-U.S. Envoy Meeting

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — President Masoud Barzani met on Tuesday with a US delegation led by Victoria Taylor, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran in Pirmam, where both sides held in-depth discussions on regional security, Kurdish affairs, and the evolving political landscape in Iraq and Syria.

The meeting underscored Washington’s continued commitment to its strategic partnership with the Kurdistan Region amid broader regional shifts.

According to a statement from President Barzani’s office, the American delegation emphasized the enduring friendship between the United States and the Kurdistan Region, highlighting the importance of mutual cooperation to promote peace, stability, and development in Iraq and the broader Middle East.

Taylor reaffirmed the United States’ support for a stable and prosperous Kurdistan Region, noting that such a vision remains a critical component of U.S. policy in Iraq.

The talks also delved into the ongoing political challenges in Iraq and Syria. Both sides exchanged views on the stalled peace process in Turkey and the uncertain future of Kurdish parties in northeastern Syria. Discussions touched on the evolving dynamics between those parties and the newly forming Syrian government, with particular attention paid to the long-term implications for Kurdish self-governance and regional autonomy.

President Barzani and Deputy Assistant Secretary Taylor further examined the relationship between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Iraq’s federal authorities in Baghdad. The meeting addressed the need for sustained dialogue and coordination to resolve long-standing disputes over oil revenues, budget entitlements, and administrative powers.

Another key issue on the agenda was the internal political process within the Kurdistan Region itself. Taylor was briefed on the latest developments in the power-sharing negotiations between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), as the two dominant Kurdish parties work to finalize the formation of the KRG’s tenth cabinet. Both parties expressed hope that a unified and inclusive government would emerge from the ongoing talks, capable of meeting the aspirations of the Kurdish people and navigating the region’s complex political terrain.

The meeting in Pirmam signals renewed U.S. diplomatic engagement with Kurdish leadership at a time of intensified regional uncertainty. With Iraq preparing for federal elections later this year and Syria’s political future still in flux, Washington is seeking to reaffirm partnerships and encourage internal Kurdish unity as a foundation for broader regional stability.

As the Kurdistan Region continues to navigate a sensitive balance between domestic consolidation and regional diplomacy, President Barzani’s meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary Taylor reflects both the strategic weight of Kurdish-American relations and the enduring importance of dialogue in shaping the path forward.