On Monday, Dec 13, Bafel Jalal Talabani and Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Region, received, in Erbil, Brett McGurk, White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, accompanied by Ambassador to Iraq Mathew Tueller and Robert Palladino, the US Consul General in the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting focused on the latest political, security and economic developments and the situation after the parliamentary election in Iraq.

Concerning the recent Islamic State militants' attacks, Bafel Jalal Talabani reiterated the need for strengthening the relations between the US and the Kurdistan Region, particularly in the field of military, and called for continuation of US's role in training and improving logistics and military capabilities of the Peshmerga to root out terrorism in the region.

Talabani reiterated the development of relations with the United States, including the continuity of advising and assisting Peshmerga forces in the fight against terror.

The phase after Iraq’s elections and formation of the new government were also addressed. The two sides emphasized on the beginning of steps to form a serviceable and active government that will be “at the level of the sensitivity of the situation and demands of all components in Iraq, and to preserve political balance”

Talabani talked over the efforts of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan for the representatives of Kurdistan to go to Baghdad as one team and referred to PUK's eagerness to create an environment for unity and solving the problems in a way that services the public interest.

He asserted that as PUK they want to protect the national and legal rights which would guarantee a strong and safe Iraq. "We want to visit Baghdad as one team and have discussions based on the constitution." he added.

(Edited by: PUKNOW)