ERBIL — The United States welcomed the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s new cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, saying that they already enjoy a close partnership.

“We congratulate the prime minister and the Kurdistan Regional Government on their successful government formation,” State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said on Thursday. “We of course enjoy a close partnership with the prime minister and with the Kurdistan Regional Government.”

She noted that Washington is in contact with Erbil to work on several important issues, “including regional security, economic reform, and repairing relations between the KRG and the Government of Iraq”.

“We are of course confident that we will remain a close partner on these priorities moving forward,” Oragus concluded.