Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received Lieutenant General Paul Funk, Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force, Operation Inherent Resolve, Mr. Joey Hood, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, and Mr. Ken Gross, U.S. Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, accompanied by a military delegation.

The delegation expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation and coordination between the coalition forces and the Kurdistan Regional Government ministries of Peshmerga Affairs and Interior.

They thanked the KRG for its cooperation and support to the coalition forces, and stressed their continued assistance to the Kurdistan Region as an important partner.

They expressed hope that the recent resumption of talks between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government, which let to the resolution of some bilateral problems, will continue to settle all outstanding issues.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the international coalition, particularly the United States, in supporting the Kurdistan Region in its war against ISIS. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces.

He also thanked the United States for its support for the resumption of dialogue between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.

The security situation in the region and the upcoming Iraqi elections were also discussed in the meeting.