Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received a senior U.S. delegation sent by Mr. Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States of America to inquire the situation of minorities in Nineveh Plain.

The U.S. delegation included Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Ambassador Mark Green, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Douglas Silliman, U.S. Representative of Nebraska, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, retired Congressman Frank Wolf, U.S. Special Envoy for International Religious Freedom, Ambassador Sam Brownback, U.S. Consul General in Erbil, Mr. Ken Gross and a number of U.S. officials.

The delegation commended the government and the people of the Kurdistan Region for having accommodated and assisted a large number of internally displaced people and refugees who fled terrorism, despite the challenges facing the Region.

They also highlighted the coexistence among various communities in the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the delegation for their visit and the initiative of the Vice President of the United States. While he expressed Kurdistan Regional Government’s readiness to provide all assistance to various communities, he stressed that they also need international support.

He added that, as these communities have deep historical roots in Iraq and the region, a confidence-building process should be launched encouraging them against leaving Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The political process in Iraq, the result of May 12th parliamentary elections, the security situation in the region, U.S. assistance to displaced people and the ways to develop the institutions of the Kurdistan Regional Government were discussed in the meeting.
Kurdistan Region Presidency Chief of Staff Dr. Fuad Hussein, and a number of KRG ministers attended the meeting.