Kurdistan to develop ties with Germany in all sectors, says PM Barzani

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region aims to widen and strengthen relations with Germany in all sectors, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said on Tuesday, praising Berlin’s role and contribution in the region over the past few years.

Barzani’s comments came during a press conference after a meeting with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Erbil.

He thanked Germany for its support “to ease the economic crisis in the Kurdistan Region last year.”

Barzani noted that the Kurdish region wants to develop its relations with Germany and facilitate German companies to contribute to the Kurdistan Region’s economy and invest in the region.

In the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral ties, the political process in Iraq, new federal government formation, affairs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups in the Kurdistan Region, the Kurdish PM said.

Maas commended the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the people of the Kurdistan Region for providing a haven for those fleeing from the Islamic State (IS).

Germany has provided humanitarian and military aid to the Kurdistan Region over the past few years and will continue to do so, the German official said during the press conference.

"The Iraqi Kurdistan Region was and is a safe haven for refugees and minorities. For this we owe you our respect": Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas meets PM Barzani in Erbil. pic.twitter.com/RMJiiZLm4j

— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) December 18, 2018

Responding to reporters, the Kurdish prime minister said the Kurdistan Region is currently home to 1.4 million refugees and IDPs, and they demand guaranteed security and other basic services before they return to their liberated areas.

“As a member of the Global Coalition [against IS], Germany has provided humanitarian and military support to the Kurdistan Region,” Barzani said in response to Kurdistan 24 correspondent Aras Ahmed who asked about support from the international community relative to the Region’s needs.

“Germany’s aid and that of other coalition members to the Kurdistan Region might not have been sufficient as their support could be limited too, but we are grateful and thank them for what they have offered,” the prime minister added.

Over the past few years, Germany has been one of the most active members of the US-led coalition in supporting the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the fight against the extremist group.

Barzani’s meeting with Maas came hours after receiving Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok, who hoped to see a “stronger” Kurdistan Region as it forms a new government, stressing that Amsterdam will continue to train Peshmerga forces.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany