European leaders kick off security conference in Germany

11:40 p.m.

Germany, Norway, Italy headline first day meetings at Munich with KRG

KRG PM Nechirvan Barzani also meet with Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide

Barzani also met with delegations from Italy and Germany on the sidelines of the first day of the Munich Security Conference.

------

11:30 p.m.

Kurdistan's security chief calls first day at Munich 'productive'

Masrour Barzani, the Kurdistan Region Security Council Chancellor, is also attending the three-day event.

"Productive talks during Munich Security Conference alongside intelligence and security officials about global challenges and opportunities; enduring threats and a roadmap for the region's next chapter," tweeted the security chief.

------

10:10 p.m.

Italian FM: Kurdish forces deserve ‘unanimous praise’

Italian officials led by Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano praised the Peshmerga for their anti-ISIS efforts, while expressing support for talks between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

"Kurdish security forces deserve unanimous praise for their action against Daesh [ISIS]. [Italy] supports a timely resumption of the dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil in-line with the Iraqi constitution," read a tweet from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Min. #Alfano meeting @PMBarzani at @MunSecConf:
"Kurdish security forces deserve unanimous praise for their action against #Daesh.
🇮🇹 supports a timely resumption of the dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil in line with the Iraqi constitution" pic.twitter.com/lCzYP3rsyZ

— Farnesina 🇮🇹 (@ItalyMFA) February 16, 2018

In late-January, 25 Kurdish Zeravani security forces successfully underwent a two week training program by Italian military designed to repel fierce confrontations, surprise attacks, control protests and protect diplomatic missions from any possible threats.

Italy, as a member of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, has deployed hundreds of military personnel to protect the strategic Mosul Dam.

Barzani and Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi, who is also at the Munich conference, have meet twice, but the date for an expected third meeting has not been announced.

------

8:50 p.m.

Von der Leyen: We have an excellent relationship with the KRG

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen described trust, friendship, and confidence between her ministry and officials in the Kurdistan Region after meeting with a delegation led by PM Nechirvan Barzani on Friday.

"You can really feel that over the years a lot of trust and confidence has been built up between us, we have an excellent relationship," said Leyen replying to questions from Rudaw correspondent Alla Shally, "and that was felt during the meeting."

Germany's new coalition government is currently in the process of determining how a new mandate for the Peshmerga could be implemented.

"We've listened a lot to what is needed in Kurdistan and in central Iraq and Baghdad," she said. "What we hear is that security sector reform is needed, capacity building, advising in the ministry is needed."

Leyen noted the interest of Berlin to assist in increasing Peshmerga medical capacities. She revealed that in the future, perhaps, rehabilitation facilities could be implemented. 

On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference Ursula von der Leyen meets with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani (right) and Fuad Hussein, the chief of staff to the Kurdistan Region Presidency on February 16, 2018. Photo: KRG

She described Iraq as in a critical stage.

"After the impressive fight against Daesh [ISIS], the central Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga fought side-by-side for victory over Daesh," said the defence minister.

Iraq is yet to pass a 2018 spending bill with Kurdish and Sunni objections to its constitutionality.

Leyen explained now Iraq is at a stage where reconstruction, stability, and reconciliation "has to move on."

"For us it's important that there is a close commitment between both ... [so] that it's a future that they both that they both want to have together," said Leyen.

7:38 p.m.

KRG delegation meets with German defence ministry

KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with officials from Germany's defence ministry on Friday.

Rudaw correspondent Alla Shally reported Barzani will also meet with Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen.

Germany has been a strong supporter of Kurdish Peshmerga through the ISIS conflict.

Leyen visited Erbil on Sunday to inspect German trainers. She also inaugurated the first phase of a planned military hospital for Peshmerga, allocating €6 million.

“We all know that the Peshmerga on our behalf and that of the world, fought very well against ISIS,” she said at the time.

A KRG delegation led by Nechirvan Barzani meets with German officials in Munich on February 16, 2018. Photo: KRG

The Kurdish delegation will have more meetings on Saturday.

Attendees at the conference that began in 1963 include UN chief Antonio Guterres, head of NATO Jens Stoltenberg, US Defense Secretary James Mattis, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, and the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey.

------

5:20 p.m.

Netanyahu: Israel will not allow Iranian attempts to build bases in Syria

------

5:15 p.m.

MUNICH, Germany — With Kurdish and Iraqi officials in attendance, the Munich Security Conference began on Friday with European leaders promoting the European Defence Union as another option to NATO.