Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier and his delegation.

In a meeting, also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and other KRG officials, Minister Steinmeier commended the Peshmerga forces for liberating many areas from the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, particularly the town of Sinjar.

He conveyed his Government’s support to the people, the government, and the Peshmerga forces of the Kurdistan Region, saying Germany’s military assistance to the Peshmerga forces will continue.

He noted the significant number of internally displaced people, who fled ISIS terrorist threats and took refuge in Kurdistan Region. He stressed that Germany would help ease the burden on the Kurdistan Region by promoting additional assistance from the international community.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed gratitude for Germany’s military assistance to Peshmerga forces, and humanitarian assistance for the IDPs. He expressed his hope that the military assistance would continue through the change in the war against ISIS following the liberation of Sinjar.

Prime Minister Barzani noted that much more humanitarian assistance is urgently needed to better serve the IDPs whose numbers are expected to increase due to the anticipated liberation of Mosul.

Regarding the outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad, Prime Minister Barzani stressed that they must be resolved through dialogue and negotiations.

Prime Minister Barzani meanwhile pointed out that serious dialogue among political parties in the Kurdistan Region are in progress to resolve issues that have emerged during recent months.

The situation in Iraq and the Middle East region in general, including relations with neighbouring countries, were also discussed in the meeting.