17 January 2008

Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq (KRG.org). A bipartisan delegation of six members of the US House of Representatives visited the Kurdistan Region in Iraq yesterday for meetings with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials.

The congressmen and women, who visited Erbil to experience the progress being made in Iraq's most stable area, were Mr Lincoln Davis (Democrat, Tennessee), Ms Marsha Blackburn (Republican, Tennessee), Mr Tim Walberg (Republican, Michigan), Mr John Barrow (Democrat, Georgia), Mr Brad Miller (Democrat, North Caronlina), and Ms Nikki Tsongas (Democrat, Massachusetts).

Congressman Walberg said on returning to the US, "In Kurdistan, and specifically Erbil, we saw very clearly a strong developing province."

Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani welcomed the delegation’s commendation of the progress being made in the Kurdistan Region. He shared their hope that the model of development benefiting the Kurdistan Region will be adopted throughout the country, and their belief that the Region's progress will benefit all Iraqis.

The Congress representatives saw first hand the development of the Kurdistan Region, remarking particularly on the many major construction projects underway in Erbil, the capital city.

The Prime Minister said, “The progress being achieved today in the Kurdistan Region is the fruit of sustained efforts by the KRG since 1991, to ensure lasting security and stability for its people."

Prime Minister Barzani said that the government believes the private sector is the engine of sustainable growth, and outlined efforts to encourage private sector growth and foreign directed investment.

He also addressed the active role the KRG is playing to promote the development of Iraq. He said, “We are working hard to achieve a federal, democratic and pluralistic Iraq. As part of these efforts we continue to be a force for progress concerning the national hydrocarbon and revenue sharing laws. The passage of these laws is imperative for the development of the new Iraq.”

Thanking the delegation for the sacrifice made by the US and coalition forces since 2003, Prime Minister Barzani said, “Without your great efforts the Kurdistan Region would not be in the position it enjoys today.”

Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the KRG'’s Department of Foreign Relations, said, “Once again it is a pleasure to welcome a US Congressional delegation to Erbil. We are keen for our friends in the US government to visit us and see the progress made possible by the liberation of 2003.”

During the meeting with the Prime Minister, the Congressional delegation also met Deputy Prime Minister Omer Fattah, Minister of State for the Interior Karim Sinjari, and Head of the KRG’s Department of Foreign Relations Mr Bakir. The delegation met separately with Dr Ashti Hawarami, Minister for Natural Resources, and Mr Sarkis Aghajan Mamendu, Finance Minister.