U.S. House of Representatives Approves Resolution 873 Calling for the Establishment of a Consulate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

WASHINGTON, May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved Resolution 873, calling for the establishment of a U.S. consulate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The Resolution signifies the United States' continued support for the stability, prosperity, human rights and democracy of the Kurdistan Region, even as U.S. troops redeploy in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement.

"I would like to thank the co-authors of the resolution and members of the Kurdish-American Congressional Caucus who supported this resolution," said Qubad Talabani, Representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government to the United States.  "The establishment of a consulate in the Kurdistan Region will broaden and deepen our already strong relationship with America."

Currently, the Baghdad embassy is the only U.S. representation in Iraq, more than 200 miles away from the safe and secure Kurdistan Region. U.S. citizens and visitors to the Region must travel this distance to receive regular consulate services. Establishing a consulate in Erbil, the Kurdistan Region capitol, will increase travel to the Region and encourage more business investment and government and NGO missions to the area.

"I particularly want to thank the members of the Kurdistani-American community who worked tirelessly to exercise their rights as American citizens to meet with and encourage members of Congress to support this resolution," said Talabani. "Through their efforts to meet with their respective members, we as Kurds have achieved this important goal."

The House Resolution states that the "establishment of a United States Consulate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will reaffirm United States support for the stability, prosperity, and democracy that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has achieved."

Seventeen countries, including European nations, have diplomatic representation in Erbil, and this year the U.S. Department of State altered its "Travel Advisory" for Iraq to recognize the safety and security of the Kurdistan Region.

This has been distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the Kurdistan Regional Government.  More information is available at the US Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

SOURCE Kurdistan Regional Government

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED