ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani arrived in Washington on Saturday for discussions on energy cooperation and regional developments, according to a Kurdistan Regional Government statement. “The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masrour Barzani, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, leading a high-level government delegation on an official visit,” read the statement. Barzani will meet with American government officials, members of Congress, business leaders, and religious freedom advocates. “The discussions will focus on strengthening and expanding the strategic partnership between the Kurdistan Region and the United States. Key topics will include bilateral cooperation, investment, recent political and security developments in Iraq, and broader regional dynamics in the Middle East,” the KRG statement added. Barzani will also attend an energy forum to present the Kurdistan Region’s energy strategy and promote investment opportunities for US companies. In late April, a $100 million deal was signed between US energy giant General Electric and Sulaimani-based Taurus Arm to develop the Bazyan power plant. Following the deal, US Consul General to Erbil Steve Bitner expressed his desire to see more partnerships between American, Iraqi, and Kurdish companies. Washington has been pushing Erbil and Baghdad to finalize an agreement to restart Kurdish oil exports that have been stalled for two years.
