Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday met with US congressmen Adam Kinzinger and George Holding to discuss the latest security and humanitarian developments.

The congressmen praised the Kurdistan Region on building upon opportunities presented after the removal of the Saddam Hussein regime. They said that the progress of the Kurdistan Region can serve as a model of success and is of great importance to the government and the people of the United States. This progress is one reason why the United States did not turn its back on the Kurds, especially as they are now bravely combating terrorism on behalf of the rest of the world.

Mr Kinzinger and Mr Holding acknowledged the KRG’s efforts in meeting the basic needs and providing a safe haven for the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people and refugees of various ethnicities and religions from Iraq and Syria. They called for more assistance to the Kurdistan Region to help provide aid to the displaced and the refugees.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the congressmen for their visit and expressed his gratitude to the United States, Congress, and the American public for their continuous support for the Kurds since the 1991 uprising. Regarding the fight against terrorism, he stated that the people of the Kurdistan Region are fighting against a dark and barbaric force in order to protect peace, democracy, and coexistence.

The Prime Minister also recognised American military support for the Peshmerga forces and stressed that more military aid is needed. He drew attention to the situation of displaced people sheltered in Kurdistan and called upon the United States and the international community to further support the KRG in meeting the needs of the displaced. He also reiterated that the Kurdistan Region wishes to resolve its ongoing disputes with the Iraqi government, and the decision to participate in the government is designed to give Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi a chance to resolve outstanding issues.

Finally, relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States were discussed, with both sides agreeing on the importance to further promote the relationship.