Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received the German Foreign Minister, Mr. Sigmar Gabriel, and his accompanied delegation.

The visiting delegation commended the role of the Peshmerga forces in the fight against Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, and praised the people and government of the Kurdistan Region for having accommodated, protected and provided services to a large number of internally displaced people, including welcoming persecuted religious and ethnic communities.

Minister Gabriel valued the peaceful religious coexistence which prevail in the Kurdistan Region. 

Reiterating the continuation of his country’s military and humanitarian support, Minister Gabriel stressed that they seek to strengthen cooperation in various fields between Germany and Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his government’s appreciation for the German Government's humanitarian and military support. He expressed the Kurdistan Regional Government's willingness to strengthen relations and cooperation.

Regarding relations between Baghdad and Erbil, Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the military cooperation between the two sides against ISIS. He noted, however, serious cooperation in other fields is almost non-existent, a matter in which the international community may play a role.

Regarding the referendum for self-determination, Prime Minister Barzani stressed that it is a natural right of the people of Kurdistan. In the meantime, he reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region’s people and political parties do not believe in obtaining their rights through violence, but through serious dialogue where the international community can play a role.