By John Lee.
The US State Department has reiterated its support for energy agreements between American companies and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), following reports that Iraq's federal Ministry of Oil has filed lawsuits against two such deals.
During a press briefing on May 27th, spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that the United States supports economic deals that benefit all Iraqis, referencing the recent gas production agreements signed by the KRG and two U.S. firms. She urged both Baghdad and Erbil to work together to expand domestic gas production.
Bruce added that U.S. oil companies have invested billions of dollars in the Kurdistan Region's energy sector and expressed hope for further U.S. investment across Iraq.
She also referred to Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent meeting with KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Washington on May 23rd, where they discussed enhancing trade and investment. The Secretary commended the agreements for contributing to Iraq's path toward energy independence and affirmed U.S. support for a resilient Iraqi Kurdistan Region within a united federal Iraq.
While acknowledging the lawsuits, Bruce emphasised the U.S. expectation that such energy partnerships will "flourish" and called for a cooperative resolution that advances mutual economic interests.
Recent energy deals in Iraqi Kurdistan involved US companies HKN Energy and WesternZagros.
(Source: US State Department)
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