Iraqi Prime Minister leaves for US to discuss key issues
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani embarked on a journey from Baghdad to the United States, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising government officials, members of parliament, and representatives from the private sector, his office announced in a statement.
Prime Minister Sudani's visit to the United States comes at the official invitation of US President Joe Biden, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Foreign Relations Office of the Kurdistan Regional Government, is among the members of the delegation, underscoring the importance of Kurdish interests in the discussions.
During the visit, several pressing matters will be on the agenda, including the status of US military presence in Iraq and the role of the international coalition in combating terrorism.
Moreover, discussions are expected to revolve around the export of oil from the Kurdistan Region to global markets, a pivotal topic for both Iraqi and Kurdish authorities.
"The upcoming meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani presents a crucial opportunity to reach agreements on oil production and exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, thereby eliminating a significant obstacle to foreign direct investment in Iraq," stated the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) on its official website.
The statement further emphasized the commitment of APIKUR member companies to their contracts with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Natural Resources, emphasizing the importance of mutually beneficial agreements for the immediate reopening of the pipeline.
Myles B. Caggins III, spokesman for APIKUR, stressed the importance of a robust oil and gas sector in attracting foreign investment, benefiting all Iraqi citizens and removing barriers to investment in both Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
The upcoming discussions between Iraqi and US officials hold the promise of addressing key issues and fostering greater cooperation between the two nations for the benefit of all stakeholders involved.