President Nechirvan Barzani received Dr. Tobias Lindner, the Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, and a high level delegation accompanying him.

At the meeting, Dr. Lindner reiterated that Germany attaches great importance to its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and looks forward to developing its relations with Baghdad and Erbil in all areas, especially in commerce and trade. Minister Lindner also mentioned the recent visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Mr. Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani to Germany.

The two sides also stressed the importance of political stability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region for progress in all areas.

President Nechirvan Barzani expressed the Kurdistan Region’s gratitude to Germany for its assistance to Kurdistan and Iraq in the fight against terrorism and ISIS, as well as for recognizing the massacre of the Yezidis as genocide in the German Parliament. Both sides agreed that ISIS is still a real danger and poses a serious threat to the security of Iraq and the wider region, hence Iraq and the Kurdistan Region still need the continuing mission of the international coalition against ISIS.

The two sides also discussed the situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq’s relations with neighboring and regional countries and the region, and other issues of common interest.