The White House, Office of the Vice President

This afternoon, President Obama joined a meeting between Vice President Biden and Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, at the White House.

President Obama and Vice President Biden reaffirmed that the United States is committed to our close and historic relationship with Kurdistan and the Kurdish people, in the context of our strategic partnership with a federal, democratic and unified Iraq.

President Obama and Vice President Biden also encouraged President Barzani’s continued engagement in the Iraqi political process, under the auspices of Iraq’s constitution. Before this meeting, Vice President Biden hosted President Barzani and his delegation for a working lunch.

The two leaders discussed a range of issues related to Iraq and the region and steps the U.S. would take to expand services offered at Consulate Irbil. They also expressed support for continued high-level consultations between U.S. officials and representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government.