ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – President Nechirvan Barzani held separate high-level meetings with senior diplomats from the United States and the Netherlands on Tuesday, focusing on the political future of Iraq following recent parliamentary elections and the enhancement of bilateral relations.

In a meeting with Joshua Harris, the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Iraq, and his delegation, both sides conducted a comprehensive review of the strategic relationship between the United States and both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. A presidential statement noted that the two parties underscored the importance of strengthening these ties, agreeing that the United States shares mutual interests and values with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The talks also delved into the outcomes of the Iraqi parliamentary elections, which were described as a "significant and positive development." Both officials expressed hope that the election results would help advance the country's political process and meet the expectations of its citizens.

Earlier, President Barzani received Ms. Janet Alberda, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Iraq. Their discussion similarly focused on the Netherlands' relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with both sides conveying a shared interest in enhancing bilateral cooperation across all sectors.

According to the readout, both diplomatic meetings also covered the evolving relationship between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Erbil, the internal political situation within the Kurdistan Region, and broader regional developments. The discussions highlight the Kurdistan Region's active diplomatic role in fostering international partnerships and navigating the post-election political landscape in Iraq.