US-Kurdistan strategic partnership took center stage on Sunday when Gwendolyn Green assumed her new role as US Consul General in Erbil. She visited Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani to discuss expanding cooperation and addressing regional challenges. Green began her tenure by meeting President Barzani at the presidential office in Erbil. She expressed her commitment to deepening ties between the United States and the Kurdistan Region. She also praised the ongoing collaboration in political, security, and humanitarian fields.
During the meeting, Green thanked the Kurdistan Region for its consistent support of the US mission. She emphasized that Washington views Erbil as a valued ally. She stressed that her goal is to strengthen the US-Kurdistan strategic partnership through more joint initiatives. President Barzani congratulated Green on her new role and welcomed her to the Kurdistan Region. He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to building stronger relations with Washington. He expressed gratitude for the United States’ support to both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in various sectors.
The meeting also served as an opportunity to honor outgoing Consul General Steve Bitner. Barzani thanked him for his contributions in advancing diplomatic and security cooperation. Bitner, in turn, expressed appreciation for the hospitality and collaboration he experienced during his service. Both sides discussed the ongoing relationship between Erbil and Baghdad. They also reviewed the broader political and security situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Regional developments in Syria and the Middle East were important topics as well.
Green noted the US commitment to its Kurdish partners dates back decades. She highlighted the origins of the alliance after the 1991 Gulf War. At that time, a US-led coalition enforced a no-fly zone to protect the Kurdish population from attacks. She recalled how this humanitarian effort evolved into a crucial security partnership. The fight against ISIS strengthened the US-Kurdistan strategic partnership even further. Kurdish Peshmerga forces received essential training, equipment, and air support from the United States during the campaign.
Today, Washington maintains a strong diplomatic presence in Erbil. The US first opened a diplomatic office in 2007 and upgraded it to a consulate general in 2011. Work continues on a new US consulate complex in Erbil, which will be the largest US consulate in the world. Green concluded the meeting by reaffirming her commitment to making her tenure productive. She stated her aim to ensure both sides continue to benefit from close cooperation. The visit marked a clear statement of intent to keep the alliance strong for years to come.
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