US official: KRG's participation in Kuwait donor conference will 'benefit' Kurdistan

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – A senior United States official on Monday encouraged the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to participate in an upcoming donor’s conference in Kuwait for the reconstruction of Iraq following the Islamic State (IS) war.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, accompanied by US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman and US Consul General Ken Gross, met with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil to discuss ties between Kurdistan and Iraq.

Sullivan urged the need for Kurdistan’s participation in the Kuwait conference expected to be held in February where donor countries and organizations will announce financial contributions for the reconstruction of Iraq.

The US official added that the Region would “benefit” from the conference, expressing hope for the return of economic stability and security in Kurdistan.

Sullivan also stressed the importance of continued relations between the United States and the Kurdistan Region, while expressing support for the rights of the people of Kurdistan, a KRG press release following the meeting read.

The US Deputy Secretary of State reiterated Washington’s hope to resolve all differences between the Iraqi government and the KRG “through dialogue and based on the Iraqi Constitution.”

Prime Minister Barzani also emphasized Kurdistan’s desire “to resolve all differences with Baghdad according to the Iraqi Constitution.”

Following the meeting, the KRG Prime Minister said the US and Kurdish officials held a “productive meeting” where they discussed several challenges facing Kurdistan and Iraq.

Ties between Erbil and Baghdad have considerably deteriorated following Kurdistan’s Sep. 25 independence referendum which received overwhelming support for secession.

However, Baghdad responded to the vote by imposing punitive measures against the Region including an international flight ban and the use of military force to regain control of disputed territories.

On Sunday, Sullivan and an accompanying US delegation met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi where they urged him to open the Kurdistan Region’s airports and send the salaries of public employees.