Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with United States Ambassador to Iraq Mr. Steven Beecroft in Salahaddin.

The President and the US Ambassador discussed the situation of Syrian refugees in Kurdistan, which now number well over 200,000. Ambassador Beecroft thanked the KRG for all that it has done to help the refugees and expressed US government’s appreciation for the strains that this has put on the resources in the Kurdistan Region. He added that he would work with others in Baghdad to encourage the Iraqi government to also contribute to this relief effort.

The two also talked about preparations for the planned Geneva II conference on Syria and the role and participation of the Syrian Kurdish parties in that conference.

The US ambassador also commended KRG's decision to undertake a thorough investigation into the murder of the Kurdish journalist Kawa Garmiyani, killed at his home earlier this month in the town of Kalar.  The President said his murder saddened him and the KRG is doing all it can to bring the perpetrators to face justice.  

President Barzani and Ambassador Beecroft also discussed recent positive signs that Baghdad and Erbil are considering to engage in talks to reach an agreement on energy.