Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani received the departing US Ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Tueller, in Erbil and shed light on the relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States, forming the next Iraqi government and several pressing issues.

In the meeting held on Monday, May 16, 2022, attended by US Consul General Robert Palladino, Qubad Talabani praised the efforts of Matthew Tueller. During his work in Iraq, the ambassador played a significant role in developing relations between Iraq and the Kurdistan region and called on the Iraqi parties to bring their views closer together.

The meeting revolved around the political process in Iraq and the obstacles to forming the next government. 

Both sides agreed that efforts should be made to bring different parties' views closer together through dialogue and understanding.

In this regard, Qubad Talabani called for a national agreement to resolve all the issues that hindered the formation of the next Iraqi government. The deal should not be at the expense of any party, and all parties should compromise.

Regarding the differences within the Kurdish parties, the Deputy Prime Minister said the key to resolving the differences is that the parties put the interests of the Kurdistan Region before their party and personal interests.

The Iraqi supreme court's decision on the oil and gas policy of the KRG was mentioned, and Qubad Talabani stressed that this decision could be used to resolve the issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.

During the meeting, the US Ambassador expressed his concern that the crime rate in the Kurdistan Region has increased in the past and praised the efforts of the Deputy Prime Minister, who is serious about reducing the crime rate and arresting and punishing the perpetrators.