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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday that Syrian Kurds need stability following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Pistorius led a German delegation to Erbil on Thursday to discuss the situation in Syria and Berlin’s ties with Erbil and Baghdad after meeting with Iraqi officials in Baghdad.
Regarding the latest developments in Syria, he said "the fundamental need is for the country to calm down, to restore stability, security and peace in the country."
"It is also necessary for the Syrian Kurds to be at peace and stability. This should be the common goal. Of course, I will discuss this with the Turkish authorities," he added.
During his meeting with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Pistorius reaffirmed Berlin’s commitment to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
"We had a wonderful and friendly conversation and they were grateful for the service that Germany has presented in the Region for many years and we will continue to do so. They see us as a trusted partner and I can only reiterate that our troops here are also emphasizing this great unity," the minister said.
In addition to the military delegation, four members of parliament from four different parties accompanied the German defense minister.
"It was very clear today how much German assistance and support is needed for the Kurdistan Region, and today the minister reiterated that the support and military assistance of the German army will continue here. Indeed the situation here is much more stable than the situation in central Iraq, but this does not mean that we are not needed here. Because of the sensitive situation in the region, we have to stay here and show the German flag and continue to be in support of the Kurds," Serap Guler, German MP, told Rudaw.
Germany has been an active supporter of the Peshmerga forces since 2014 within the framework of the global coalition against ISIS.
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