Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani engaged in a series of pivotal discussions with representatives from the Chaldean and Assyrian diaspora in the United States on Saturday, underscoring the welfare of Christians in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The talks, part of PM Barzani's diplomatic mission to Washington DC, held significant importance amid growing concerns surrounding the Nineveh Plain and recent decisions by the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court.

At the heart of the discussions was the imperative to foster peaceful coexistence among diverse communities and safeguard religious freedom. Prime Minister Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region's unwavering commitment to these principles, echoing the sentiments of the diaspora representatives. Both parties expressed profound apprehension regarding the Federal Supreme Court's recent ruling, which mandated the restructuring of electoral districts in the Kurdistan Region, potentially diminishing parliamentary representation.

The court's decision, which divides the region into four electoral districts and reduces parliamentary seats from 111 to 100, elicited widespread outcry among various political factions and human rights organizations. Ethnic minorities, notably concerned about the loss of parliamentary representation, particularly the quota seats, voiced their discontent.

Prime Minister Barzani's forthcoming meetings with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, on Monday, are anticipated to address critical policy matters and strengthen bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States. This visit signifies PM Barzani's first official trip to Washington since assuming office in June 2019, reflecting the importance attributed to the discussions on significant developments in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the wider Middle East, as highlighted by the prime minister’s office.