Kurdistan Region, Germany Seek Broader Bilateral Ties

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and German Ambassador Daniel Krieber discussed expanding bilateral relations, with Berlin reaffirming support for the Kurdistan Region.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (R) and Germany's Ambassador to Iraq Daniel Krieber (L). (Photo: KRG)
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (R) and Germany's Ambassador to Iraq Daniel Krieber (L). (Photo: KRG)

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Germany's Ambassador to Iraq Daniel Krieber on Monday stressed the importance of expanding bilateral relations, as Berlin reaffirmed its support for and continued coordination with the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani received Krieber in Erbil on Oct. 5 for talks covering relations between the Kurdistan Region and Germany as well as recent developments in Iraq and the wider region.

During the meeting, both sides agreed on the importance of advancing ties across various fields and continuing cooperation between Erbil and Berlin.

Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region's appreciation for the assistance and support Germany has provided over the years, including through its role alongside other members of the international coalition.

Germany has been among the countries that maintained close engagement with the Kurdistan Region during the coalition's mission, while Monday's discussion focused on preserving and broadening that relationship in the period ahead.

Krieber, for his part, reaffirmed Germany's continued support for the Kurdistan Region and emphasized the importance of maintaining coordination between the two sides.

The ambassador also said the Kurdistan Region should be included in any future bilateral understanding reached between Germany and Iraq.

That position places continued Erbil-Berlin engagement within the broader framework of Germany's relations with the federal government in Baghdad.

The meeting did not specify particular agreements or sectors in which new cooperation would be developed, but both sides emphasized the value of strengthening relations across a range of areas.

The discussions also covered the latest political and regional developments affecting Iraq and the wider Middle East.

For the Kurdistan Regional Government, the meeting continues a pattern of maintaining direct diplomatic engagement with international partners while also operating within Iraq's federal framework.

Germany's reaffirmation of support and its call for the Kurdistan Region to be included in future Germany-Iraq understandings also reflects the role Erbil continues to seek in broader bilateral relations involving Baghdad and foreign governments.

Monday's talks concluded with both sides emphasizing continued coordination and the expansion of ties between the Kurdistan Region and Germany.