Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today welcomed Germany’s new Consul General to Erbil, Mr Alfred Simms-Protz, in his office in Salahaddin.

The President and the German Consul General discussed KRG’s upcoming parliamentary elections, the situation of Syrian refugees in Kurdistan, and developments in the wider region.

President Barzani said the Region is heading toward parliamentary elections in less than 2 weeks and added that the important thing in these elections is that they will help move the democratic process in Kurdistan forward. He further added that the KRG would welcome election observers from Germany and other countries.

On the plight of Syrian refugees, the President said there has recently been more international attention to Syrian refugees who have come to Kurdistan. Mr. Simms-Protz said his country plans to provide further assistance to the Syrian refugees in Kurdistan and acknowledged KRG’s efforts to accept more than 200,000 refugees.