PM Barzani, US Treasury Official Discuss Financial Reforms in Washington
The meeting centered on recent initiatives to strengthen the region’s financial and banking systems, including the progress of the MyAccount project, a flagship program aimed at promoting financial transparency and efficiency through digital public services.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Bradley Smith in Washington on Thursday to discuss ongoing financial reforms and digital modernization efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The video for this My FX Buddies Blogpost is below here:
According to a statement from the KRG, the meeting centered on recent initiatives to strengthen the region’s financial and banking systems, including the progress of the MyAccount project, a flagship program aimed at promoting financial transparency and efficiency through digital public services.
Deputy Secretary Smith praised the KRG’s reform efforts and expressed the U.S. Treasury Department’s full support for both the MyAccount initiative and broader financial reforms.
Prime Minister Barzani thanked the U.S. for its continued support, reiterating his government’s commitment to modernizing financial infrastructure and expanding digital services to enhance governance and public accountability.
The visit is part of a broader effort by the KRG to strengthen international partnerships and attract investment by advancing transparency and economic reform.
Masrour Barzani praises Al-Sudani: We hope you continue as prime minister
Outgoing Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani expressed his hope on Thursday that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani would continue in his position.
During a panel discussion he participated in as part of an energy conference in Washington, which was monitored by the Mail, Barzani stated, "The Kurdistan Region has great respect for Mr. Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the Prime Minister of Iraq, and we hope that he will continue to serve as Prime Minister of all of Iraq and that he views the Kurdistan Region and all other regions of Iraq equally ."
Barzani added that "the agreements with American companies will benefit citizens," explaining that "the contracts are legal because the two companies operate in the Kurdistan Region. Their contracts have been brought to court, and the court in Baghdad has ruled three times in favor of the contracts signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government with foreign companies, so their work in Kurdistan is completely legal ."
Ronaki," "Hisabi," and the two agreements... Barzani and the US Secretary of Energy discuss a package of issues in Washington.
Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani discussed with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on Thursday, May 22, 2025, agreements the Kurdistan Regional Government has concluded with US companies in the field of oil and energy, and the Ronaki and Hasabi projects.
A statement from Barzani's office, a copy of which was received by Al-Jabal, stated that "the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation, headed by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, met today with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, in the US capital, Washington ." Wright welcomed the delegation's visit to the United States and affirmed his country's support for the two agreements concluded by the Kurdistan Regional Government with US companies specializing in the energy sector.
Wright stressed, according to the statement, "the importance of continuing to develop American investments in the region ."
The statement continued, "For its part, the KRG delegation expressed its gratitude to the United States for its continued support, and gave a brief presentation on the reforms underway in the KRG across various sectors, particularly in the energy sector, in addition to the Ronaki project, which aims to provide electricity around the clock to citizens, and the Hesabi project, which aims to enhance financial inclusion, along with efforts to build a strong and diversified economic infrastructure in the region."
Washington: Importing energy from Iran will not bring peace. Kurdistan agreements benefit Iraqis.
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the recent oil and energy agreements signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government with two American companies as "beneficial to all Iraqis." He noted that "acquiring energy from Iran will not undermine the peace process."
" Oil is a major player in today's global economy, but natural gas is growing and evolving faster, " Wright said during a panel discussion at the Energy Conference in Washington. " We can leverage this to generate electricity, especially since the Kurdistan Region needs 24-hour power, and Iraq can benefit by selling the energy it produces to neighboring countries . "
He added, "These materials are tools and machines that lie underground, and they require economic capacity, tools, personnel, and technology to utilize them. This issue is certainly not new to the people of the region. The opportunity has come to exploit this wealth, and it is very beneficial for Kurdistan."
The US Secretary of Energy continued, " What we are experiencing now is good news in the Kurdistan Region. We have begun an important step toward developing the Middle East. We have economic weapons, new weapons, and we want to build alliances and strength, and end the hegemony that Iran has imposed in the region and the problems it creates ."
He pointed out that "everyone is focused on the wealth in the Middle East, and this issue is supported in the Kurdistan Region, and the Iraqi people also expect to benefit from this issue ."
He pointed out that "American companies operate in the Kurdistan Region, and we have many commercial and investment opportunities there, but acquiring energy resources from Iran will not advance the peace process . "
Regarding the Kurdistan Region's position in the global market, Wright said, "During our last trip, we focused on the energy sector. We want to develop the natural resources of the United States and the world. We want to help with production and build success stories in this field, and we anticipate many opportunities."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to US Representative Joe Wilson's concerns about Iranian interference in energy agreements concluded by the Kurdistan Regional Government with US companies, noting that US policy toward Iraq is "Kurdish autonomy and economic prosperity."
Wilson expressed his "concern" in response to the Kurdistan Regional Government's signing of two agreements with American companies, saying, "Baghdad is exercising its control, and in this context, Iran is interfering and trying to prevent these agreements, which aim to strengthen Kurdistan's freedom and enable the regional government to support its people."
In a hearing held yesterday, Wednesday, in the US Senate, the US Secretary of State commented on these "concerns," emphasizing "the United States' support for the region's autonomy and the need to respect economic agreements."
The US Secretary of State explained, "The core of his country's approach to Iraq is ensuring the autonomy enjoyed by the Kurds in that part of the country, and a key part of that is allowing them to secure an economic lifeline that will enable them to prosper."
Rubio added that "Iraqi officials in Baghdad have expressed interest in establishing a closer and better relationship with the United States," stressing that "the US administration has made clear to these officials the importance of respecting American companies operating in Iraq, as well as respecting Kurdish independence."
Regarding Iranian influence, the US Secretary of State expressed his country's "concern," saying, "Unfortunately, Iranian influence continues to grow in some sectors of the elected Iraqi government. This poses a serious threat from the United States' perspective, including through pro-Iranian Shiite militias that have carried out attacks against US interests in the past and have indicated their intention to do so again in the future. This is unacceptable and must be addressed."
Buy Me a Coffee
.png)
US Secretary of State accuses "parts" of the Iraqi government of subservience to Iran
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused "elected elements" of the Iraqi government of "submitting to Iranian influence" in a briefing he presented to the US Congress on Thursday (May 22, 2025). Rubio stressed the importance of the Iraqi government respecting US companies operating in the country.
In the review, translated by Baghdad Today, Rubio explained that US policy toward Iraq is based on Iraq's "respect" for American companies operating there, pointing to the contracts signed between these companies and Baghdad and Erbil.
Rubio reiterated his accusation that "parts of the Iraqi government" are subject to Iranian influence, declaring that "unfortunately, Iranian influence continues to grow in some elected bodies of the Iraqi government," emphasizing the impact this influence has on the operations of American companies and the security of their interests in Iraq.
Rubio's remarks came in response to a question from US Representative Joe Wilson regarding contracts signed between American companies and the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq. Rubio noted that "the Iraqi government consistently seeks to improve its relationship with the United States, and part of that relationship is Baghdad's respect for the autonomy of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, particularly with regard to economic issues."
US State Department on Kurdistan agreements: They will contribute to Iraq's energy independence
We encourage the acceleration of gas production."
The US State Department announced on Thursday, May 22, 2025, its support for the recent agreements signed by the Kurdistan Region with American companies, stressing the importance of cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil to produce gas as soon as possible .
At a press conference held today, followed by Al-Jabal, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated, "The United States is pleased that Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has signed major agreements with American companies to expand natural gas production in the region . "
Bruce explained that "these agreements, valued at more than $100 billion, will help Iraq harness its domestic resources to become energy independent, a top priority for the US administration and a major national security issue." She emphasized that "Washington supports these agreements and encourages Baghdad and Erbil to work together to accelerate the start of gas production . "
Bruce noted that "the Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister's visit to the United States reflects Washington's desire to strengthen its relations with the region. The US Secretary of State is scheduled to meet with the Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister to discuss expanding trade and investment between the two sides . "
Bruce urged the Iraqi government to "respect this vital economic lifeline essential to prosperity and success," stressing that "the interests of the United States, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region are best served by a strong and resilient Kurdistan Region within a sovereign and prosperous federal Iraq."
Earlier today, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the recent oil and energy agreements the Kurdistan Regional Government signed with two American companies as "beneficial to all Iraqis," while noting that "acquiring energy from Iran will not undermine the peace process."
" Oil is a major player in today's global economy, but natural gas is growing and evolving faster, " Wright said during a panel discussion at the Energy Conference in Washington. " We can leverage this to generate electricity, especially since the Kurdistan Region needs 24-hour power, and Iraq can benefit by selling the energy it produces to neighboring countries . "
He added, "These materials are tools and machines that lie underground, and they require economic capacity, tools, personnel, and technology to utilize them. This issue is certainly not new to the people of the region. The opportunity has come to exploit this wealth, and it is very beneficial for Kurdistan."
The US Secretary of Energy continued, " What we are experiencing now is good news in the Kurdistan Region. We have begun an important step toward developing the Middle East. We have economic weapons, new weapons, and we want to build alliances and strength, and end the hegemony that Iran has imposed in the region and the problems it creates ."
He pointed out that "everyone is focused on the wealth in the Middle East, and this issue is supported in the Kurdistan Region, and the Iraqi people also expect to benefit from this issue ."
He pointed out that "American companies operate in the Kurdistan Region, and we have many commercial and investment opportunities there, but acquiring energy resources from Iran will not advance the peace process . "
Regarding the Kurdistan Region's position in the global market, Wright said, "During our last trip, we focused on the energy sector. We want to develop the natural resources of the United States and the world. We want to help with production and build success stories in this field, and we anticipate many opportunities."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to US Representative Joe Wilson's concerns about Iranian interference in energy agreements concluded by the Kurdistan Regional Government with US companies, noting that US policy toward Iraq is "Kurdish autonomy and economic prosperity."
Wilson expressed his "concern" in response to the Kurdistan Regional Government's signing of two agreements with American companies, saying, "Baghdad is exercising its control, and in this context, Iran is interfering and trying to prevent these agreements, which aim to strengthen Kurdistan's freedom and enable the regional government to support its people."
In a hearing held yesterday, Wednesday, in the US Senate, the US Secretary of State commented on these "concerns," emphasizing "the United States' support for the region's autonomy and the need to respect economic agreements."
The US Secretary of State explained, "The core of his country's approach to Iraq is ensuring the autonomy enjoyed by the Kurds in that part of the country, and a key part of that is allowing them to secure an economic lifeline that will enable them to prosper."
Rubio added that "Iraqi officials in Baghdad have expressed interest in establishing a closer and better relationship with the United States," stressing that "the US administration has made clear to these officials the importance of respecting American companies operating in Iraq, as well as respecting Kurdish independence."
Regarding Iranian influence, the US Secretary of State expressed his country's "concern," saying, "Unfortunately, Iranian influence continues to grow in some sectors of the elected Iraqi government. This poses a serious threat from the United States' perspective, including through pro-Iranian Shiite militias that have carried out attacks against US interests in the past and have indicated their intention to do so again in the future. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
No comments:
Post a Comment