“This visit strengthens U.S.–Iraq ties through engagement with leaders and communities to advance shared goals of sovereignty and prosperity,” said the US embassy in Baghdad after announcing his arrival.
Baghdad is the second stop on Rigas’ Middle East tour, which also includes Turkey and Israel.
The travel "underscores the United States’ commitment to advancing stability, security, religious freedom, and prosperity across the region,” said the State Department in a statement on Tuesday.
During his stop in Iraq, Rigas will “meet with Iraqi officials, tour U.S. diplomatic facilities, and inaugurate the new Consulate General in Erbil," the statement added.
Believed to be one of the biggest US diplomatic facilities in the world, Washington’s new consulate compound in Erbil will enhance diplomatic cooperation with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Iraq, Tammy Bruce, the US State Department spokesperson, told Rudaw in March.
Rigas’ visit comes days after Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Iraq, said that there are “big changes coming in Iraq.” He added that “everyone will see actions instead of words” without elaborating.
Updated at 12: 48 pm