Vice President Biden spoke today with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The two discussed ongoing negotiations between Baghdad and Erbil over oil exports and budgetary matters. The Vice President welcomed progress made toward an interim understanding on these matters, encouraged all parties to continue working toward a permanent framework agreement on oil exports, and emphasized the United States ongoing commitment to facilitate such an agreement. He also reaffirmed that the United States stands with Iraq and its people in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and other extremist groups.