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Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani (right) meeting with Tobias Lindner, Minister of State at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office (left) on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on February 16, 2025. Photo: Kurdistan Region Presidency
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Sunday met with German officials on the third day of the Munich Security Conference, discussing strengthening Erbil and Baghdad’s ties with Erbil as well as regional developments.
Barzani and Tobias Lindner, Minister of State at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, discussed “avenues to enhance cooperation across various sectors. They also shared insights regarding the situation in Syria, its implications, and broader regional developments,” said a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
During the meeting, President Barzani stressed the importance of safeguarding the rights of Syrian Kurds and including them in discussions about the country’s future.
Barzani also met with a German ministerial and parliamentary delegation on the sidelines of the conference, stressing “the importance of expanding cooperation with Germany, particularly in the field of developing the defense capabilities of the Peshmerga forces, and maintaining peace and stability,” said another statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
The delegation praised Erbil’s role in the region and reiterated Berlin’s continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
With military bases in Baghdad and Erbil, the German forces have been an essential member of the coalition that was established in October 2014 after the Islamic State (ISIS) took control of vast swathes of territories in Iraq and Syria.
German troops are also in Iraq as part of NATO’s mission, which focuses on security sector reforms.
In September, the German government requested parliamentary authorization to prolong its military presence in Iraq with the deployment of 500 soldiers until January 31, 2026.
In October, the German parliament overwhelmingly voted in favor of the request to extend Berlin’s military mission in Iraq for another 15 months.
President Barzani welcomed the decision at the time.
In late January, Barzani received Lindner in Erbil, discussing bilateral ties and thanking Germany for its continued support.
President Barzani has met with numerous world leaders and officials since arriving in Munich on Thursday, discussing security concerns and the Kurdistan Region’s role in regional developments.
Barzani and Tobias Lindner, Minister of State at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, discussed “avenues to enhance cooperation across various sectors. They also shared insights regarding the situation in Syria, its implications, and broader regional developments,” said a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
During the meeting, President Barzani stressed the importance of safeguarding the rights of Syrian Kurds and including them in discussions about the country’s future.
Barzani also met with a German ministerial and parliamentary delegation on the sidelines of the conference, stressing “the importance of expanding cooperation with Germany, particularly in the field of developing the defense capabilities of the Peshmerga forces, and maintaining peace and stability,” said another statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
The delegation praised Erbil’s role in the region and reiterated Berlin’s continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
With military bases in Baghdad and Erbil, the German forces have been an essential member of the coalition that was established in October 2014 after the Islamic State (ISIS) took control of vast swathes of territories in Iraq and Syria.
German troops are also in Iraq as part of NATO’s mission, which focuses on security sector reforms.
In September, the German government requested parliamentary authorization to prolong its military presence in Iraq with the deployment of 500 soldiers until January 31, 2026.
In October, the German parliament overwhelmingly voted in favor of the request to extend Berlin’s military mission in Iraq for another 15 months.
President Barzani welcomed the decision at the time.
In late January, Barzani received Lindner in Erbil, discussing bilateral ties and thanking Germany for its continued support.
President Barzani has met with numerous world leaders and officials since arriving in Munich on Thursday, discussing security concerns and the Kurdistan Region’s role in regional developments.
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