Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, Ambassador to Iraq Cyrill Nunn, Consul-General to the Kurdistan Region Ms. Barbara Wolf, and their accompanying delegation. KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and a number of officials also attended the meeting.

Minister Maas expressed appreciation of the people and government of the Kurdistan Region in confronting terrorism and for accommodating and assisting a large number of displaced people. He praised continuing positive developments in the Kurdistan Region.  He also affirmed his government’s continuation of assistance and strengthening of bilateral relations.  He stressed the return of displaced persons and refugees to their homes requires careful preparations and improved stability, which is the focus of his country’s concern. He emphasized the necessity of all parties to cooperate in resolving these issues as well as providing opportunities for the people of Iraq to have a better life, especially young people.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked Minister Maas for his country’s military and humanitarian assistance. He appreciated Germany’s role in helping to lift the embargo imposed last year on the Kurdistan Region and hoped for the continuation of such  critical assistance. He considered visits by German officials and delegations especially important during difficult times and stressed the desire to further strengthen relations. He thanked Germany for taking special care of many wounded Peshmerga and for accepting a large number of Yezidi refugees and survivors of ISIS atrocities for treatment and rehabilitation.

He thanked the German Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulate-General in the Kurdistan Region for their distinguished role in strengthening mutual relations.  They also discussed the political process in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, prospects of the next phase, situation of displaced people, building a strong Iraqi economy, readiness of the KRG to participate in the reconstruction of Iraq with the international community, and resolution of outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad, with emphasis on coexistence and tolerance and promoting investment in the Kurdistan Region. The situation in the Middle East and other issues were also discussed.