Kurdish leaders on Tuesday congratulated Conservative leader Friedrich Merz, following his election as Germany’s new chancellor

“I’m confident your leadership will open new opportunities to strengthen the partnership between the Kurdistan Region and Germany,” Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani posted on X.

Furthermore, in his congratulations post on X, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani underlined that “the Kurdistan Region values its close partnership with Germany and looks forward to strengthening our cooperation.”

The Kurdistan Region enjoys strong bilateral relations with the German Federal Government, and Germany opened a consulate general in Erbil in 2009. Furthermore, the KRG has had a representation office in Germany since 1992.

Read More: Germany’s Ongoing Commitment to Supporting Kurdistan

Since 2014, Germany has supported Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, with more than €3.6 billion toward development cooperation, stabilization, and humanitarian assistance, making it the country’s second largest donor after the United States. 

Germany has provided strong support to the peshmerga in the fight against ISIS by providing training and equipment, such as G-36 rifles and MILAN anti-tank missiles. These weapons have played a crucial role in stopping ISIS.

Read More: German Defense Minister Underlines Continued Support to Kurdistan

Germany is also part of the multi-national advisory group – which also includes the United States, the UK, Italy, France, and the Netherlands – that supports the peshmerga reform and unification process.

On May 6, Minister of Peshmerga Affairs Shoresh Ismail met with Colonel Peter Cooper, the German Commander of the armed forces in the Kurdistan Region, and discussed the reform process and Germany’s support and cooperation with the peshmerga forces.