The US Ambassador to Iraq, Douglas Silliman, along with the Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, announced the start of the building of a new US Consulate in the capital of the semi-autonomous region, on Monday.
In a statement, Barzani said that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) welcomes the construction of the compound, one of the largest in the world, and that “it is a sign of US confidence and trust in the Kurdistan Region, now and in its future.”
He also stated that the project is an indicator that Washington wants to develop its diplomatic relations with the Kurdistan Region, “within the framework of federal Iraq.“
“We hope [the construction of a new compound for the US Consulate] will lead to an important, strategic, and long-term partnership with the Kurdistan Region,“ Barzani stated.
Ambassador Silliman also added praise for the project in Erbil
“The building will be a tangible sign of the continuing commitment of the US to engage with and assist the KRG and its people to build a strong region within a unified, federal, democratic, and prosperous Iraq,” the US Ambassador said, noting how ties between the Kurdish people and America have existed for decades.
”I believe the Kurdistan Region will be an important point of entry for foreign investment because this region has a very positive history of doing business,” he added, explaining that the US wants to work with the KRG, but more importantly, with Kurdish businesses to assist in attracting new projects.
According to Silliman, the new Consulate General “will represent the best in America's architecture, engineering, technology, environmental sustainability, art, culture and construction, and of course the best in diplomacy.”
The new US Consulate General building will take several years to complete and will be located on Pirmam Road in Erbil.
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