Washington DC, USA (us.gov.krd) – In a successful series of high-level meetings in Washington D.C., Minister Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), engaged with senior US officials to reinforce the already robust relationship between the United States and the Kurdistan Region. The visit also marked the introduction of Ms. Treefa Aziz, the new KRG Representative to the United States.

The discussions during the visit covered a wide range of critical topics, demonstrating the commitment of both the United States and the Kurdistan Region to strengthening bilateral relations. The delegation emphasized the Kurdistan Region's dedication to fostering ties between Erbil and Baghdad to promote regional cooperation and stability.

During Minister Dizayee's visit to the White House, he met with Amos Hochstein, Senior Advisor to the President for Energy and Investment, to discuss strategic collaboration in the energy sector and reaffirm the enduring partnership between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.

At the State Department, Minister Dizayee held a productive meeting with Jennifer Gavito, Acting United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, where they discussed advancing common interests and shared values between the two regions.

The visit also focused on promoting religious freedom and supporting peaceful coexistence among diverse religious and ethnic communities. Minister Dizayee met with Rashad Hussain, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, underscoring the Kurdistan Region's commitment to safeguarding the rights of all communities and fostering religious harmony. Collective efforts to protect religious freedoms were emphasized during their meeting.

Moreover, discussions with Geoffrey Pyatt, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources, centered around Kurdistan's willingness to collaborate with partners to resume oil exports. Addressing environmental sustainability, the Minister also engaged with David Livingston, Senior Advisor to SPEC John Kerry, exploring opportunities for cooperation to mitigate climate change impacts in Iraq and create a greener and more sustainable Kurdistan.

Security collaboration and counterterrorism efforts were also key components of the visit, with Minister Dizayee engaging with Chris Landberg, Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Acting Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism and enhancing the US-Peshmerga partnership.

Additionally, Minister Dizayee discussed conflict resolution and stabilization efforts with Anne Witkowsky, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, emphasizing the importance of protecting the interests of marginalized communities and promoting peacebuilding initiatives.

The visit concluded with discussions at USAID, where humanitarian issues and recent developments in Kurdistan and Iraq were addressed. The Kurdistan Region expressed gratitude for USAID's support and assistance, acknowledging the significant impact of aid programs on the region's progress and development.

Overall, Minister Safeen Dizayee's comprehensive diplomatic engagements highlighted the significance of the relationship between the United States and the Kurdistan Region. The outcomes of these high-level discussions are expected to shape future collaborations and policy decisions, further strengthening the partnership, and fostering peace and stability in the region.