In a pivotal meeting between United States President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, held in the Oval Office, both leaders emphasized the critical importance of the Kurdistan Region to Iraq's overall stability and prosperity. The meeting, marking Sudani's inaugural visit to the U.S. as prime minister, yielded a joint statement underscoring a commitment to comprehensive bilateral cooperation, aligned with the Strategic Framework Agreement initiated in 2009.

Integral to their discussions was the recent resolution of outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil, particularly pertaining to the financing of the Kurdistan Region's payroll. This agreement, brokered between the two entities, facilitated the timely disbursement of salaries for civil servants after a period of over 60 days of unpaid wages.

President Biden reiterated U.S. support for bolstering democracy in Iraq, emphasizing the imperative of free, fair, and transparent regional elections in the Kurdistan Region. Scheduled for June 10, these elections face challenges, notably the Kurdistan Democratic Party's decision not to participate, citing concerns over rulings from the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court.

The upcoming elections carry significant weight, featuring alterations to the parliamentary structure, a revised constituency system, and federal oversight for the first time. These changes arise from internal disagreements within Kurdish parties, leading to the failure to renew the mandate of the regional electoral body as mandated by law.

In essence, the Biden-Sudani meeting underscores a shared commitment to fostering stability and prosperity in Iraq, recognizing the indispensable role of the Kurdistan Region in this endeavor.