ERBIL - Kurdistan Region PM Nechirvan Barzani participated on Friday, alongside with US Ambassador to Iraq, Douglas Silliman, and US Consul General, Ken Gross, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new US Consulate General in Erbil government.

"The new compound will help build upon strong relations with the US and highlights our common vision and shared values," Barzani tweeted.

"This project sends a strong message to the world, that the US wants to stay in Iraq, Kurdistan, and wishes to develop relations further,” Kurdistan 24 quoted the Kurdish premier. "We consider this a critical project, which we hope will be the groundwork for future ventures."

The new US compound will overlook the main road between Erbil and Pirmam on a 200,000 square-meter plot which will cost $600 million, the news agency added.

Basnews