President Barzani reaffirms Erbil’s commitment to boosting ties with Berlin

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday reaffirmed Erbil's commitment to strengthening ties with Berlin during a farewell meeting with outgoing German Ambassador Christiane Hohmann.

President Barzani “praised the level of Germany's relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” emphasizing the Region's “desire to continue developing relations and expanding joint cooperation in all fields with Germany,” read a statement from the Region’s presidency.

He further commended Hohmann for “her role and efforts in enhancing her country's relations” with Erbil and Baghdad.

For her part, Hohmann was cited as reaffirming that Germany “values its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and desires to give them further momentum in all sectors and fields.” She further expressed “appreciation for the support of the relevant parties in the Kurdistan Region in carrying out her duties.”

The meeting also addressed key topics including Erbil-Baghdad relations, political developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as broader regional issues involving Syria and neighboring countries.

Earlier the same day, Hohmann met Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani to discuss the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet and ongoing financial disputes between Erbil and Baghdad.

She praised Barzani’s leadership and reiterated Germany and the European Union’s commitment to upholding the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights.

Highlighting the presence of multiple foreign consulates in the Region, the German diplomat described it as “a message that the Kurdistan Region’s entity must be protected and defended.” She also lauded the Region’s achievements “in developing its economic infrastructure and achieving security and stability.”