President Nechirvan Barzani received Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Annalena Baerbock in Erbil on Wednesday.

In the meeting, the President expressed gratitude for Germany’s military, humanitarian and political assistance to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, stressing that terrorism continues to pose a real threat to the country, and underlining the importance of the continued support from Germany and the international community to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

For her part, Ms. Baerbock emphasized that Germany attaches great importance to its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and the political and economic peace and stability in the country. She stressed the significance of implementing the agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government on the status of Sinjar, which will lead to the return of refugees and the reconstruction of the region.

Discussions also highlighted the ongoing talks between Erbil and Baghdad. President Nechirvan Barzani pointed to a positive atmosphere between the two sides to resolve the existing issues, and also pointed to the strong coordination between Iraqi army and the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS.

The meeting also discussed the relations between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with neighboring countries, the situation of the refugees in the Kurdistan Region, the status of Sinjar district. The President thanked Germany for its support and assistance to the Yezidis and for the German Parliament’s recognition of the genocide against them.