President Masoud Barzani Receives New EU Liaison Office Chief In Pirmam

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - President Masoud Barzani received Stefan Wendt, the new head of the European Union Liaison Office in Erbil, at his Pirmam residence on Tuesday in the new EU representative's first formal meeting with Kurdish political leadership since assuming his post in the Kurdistan Region.

During the meeting, Stefan Wendt expressed his pleasure at meeting President Barzani and beginning his new role in the Kurdistan Region, conveying his appreciation for the openness and hospitality of the Kurdish people. He also conveyed the EU's position on the Kurdistan Region's significance, stating that the European Union looks at the Kurdistan Region's role and influence at the level of Iraq, the region, and itself with great importance, and considers itself a supporter and partner of the Region.

The two sides also shed light on the political situation, developments, and complexities of the region, exchanging views on the obstacles facing the activation of the Kurdistan Parliament and the formation of a new Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet, a political process that has been deadlocked for nearly two years since the Kurdistan Region's parliamentary elections.

The EU Liaison Office in Erbil serves as the primary institutional channel between the European Union and the Kurdistan Regional Government, maintaining engagement on governance, human rights, economic development, and regional security matters. The appointment of a new liaison office head and his first formal meeting with President Barzani signals the EU's continued active engagement with the Kurdistan Region's political leadership at a moment when the Region is navigating the post-coalition security transition, federal budget negotiations with Baghdad, and its own unresolved internal political deadlock.