Kurdistan Region President, U.S. Senator Ernst Reaffirm Anti-ISIS Cooperation, Discuss Regional Stability

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and visiting United States Republican Senator Joni Ernst on Sunday reaffirmed the critical importance of joint cooperation to confront the persistent threat of ISIS, which both sides agreed continues to pose a real danger to the security of Iraq and Syria. The high-level meeting, according to the readout of the meeting by the Kurdistan Region's Presidency office, underscored America’s continued support for the stability of the region and highlighted the necessity of internal harmony among Kurdish political forces.

His Excellency Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, received Senator Ernst, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, and an accompanying delegation on Sunday afternoon.

In their meeting, which was also attended by the U.S. Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, the discussions covered a wide range of pressing security and political issues.

The conversation focused on America's support for preserving peace and stability in Iraq, the overall security situation in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and the specific threats and dangers posed by ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The leaders also addressed the latest developments across the Middle East and their potential repercussions on the region.

During the discussions, both sides reiterated the fundamental importance of sustained joint cooperation between the United States and Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, as the primary mechanism for preserving the country's peace and stability.

They were in agreement on the need to actively confront the movements and threats of the terrorist organization ISIS, which they characterized as a real and ongoing threat to the security and stability of both Iraq and Syria.

For his part, Kurdistan Region's President Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed his thanks and appreciation to the United States for the crucial assistance and support it provides to both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in confronting the threats and dangers of terrorism.

In her remarks, Senator Ernst emphasized America's commitment and its continued support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. She also described internal peace and stability, as well as the harmony and unity of the political forces and parties of the Kurdistan Region, as being both necessary and important for the future of the region.

The meeting concluded after also addressing several other issues of mutual interest between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.