Foreign Minister Discusses Common Issues with U.S. Secretary of State

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on June 14, 2013 to discuss developments in Iraq and the region. The Secretary was encouraged by the recent meetings between Prime Minister Maliki and KRG President Barzani and thanked the Foreign Minister for his help in organizing the meetings. Secretary Kerry said he hopes that Iraqi leaders will continue to build on these positive steps through dialogue and communication and stressed that the U.S. administration urges Iraqi leaders to search for solutions that are consistent with the Iraqi constitution.

Secretary Kerry said he was impressed with the recent progress between Iraq and Kuwait and assured the Foreign Minister that the U.S. would continue to work to help Iraq improve relations with other neighbors in the region. The two sides spoke about the Syrian crisis and focusing on finding a political settlement through the Geneva II Conference. Secretary Kerry and the Foreign Minister together agreed on the importance of a unified approach against violence.

The Foreign Minister expressed the Iraqi government's appreciation toward President Obama's decision to extend protection and immunity of the Iraqi funds in U.S. banks for an additional year.



For the original June 16, 2013 piece from Iraq Ministry of Foreign Affairs referenced in this summary, click here.