On Thursday, January 23, President Masoud Barzani met with a German delegation led by Tobias Lindner, Minister of State at the German Foreign Office and Special Coordinator for Syrian Affairs, to discuss the situation in Syria.
According to a readout from Barzani Headquarters, they discussed regional and Syrian political and security developments, including the threat of terrorism, the role of Kurdish parties in Syria’s future, and the importance of maintaining stability through peaceful dialogue.
Speaking about Syria’s Kurdish population, President Barzani highlighted their historical struggles and emphasized the necessity for Kurdish parties in Syria to work collectively in determining their future through peaceful means.
The delegation had a productive meeting with HE @masoud_barzani on recent developments and the cooperation between the #KRI and the Kurds in NES and the transitional government in SYR. @tobiaslindner thanked @masoud_barzani for his efforts for a peaceful solution. pic.twitter.com/fFxoZHLXDW
— German Consulate Erbil (@GermanyInKRI) January 23, 2025
On Thursday, January 16, President Barzani received Syrian Democratic Forces General Mazloum Abdi in Salahaddin to discuss Kurdish unity efforts in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime.
President Barzani stressed that any new Syrian political system must recognize and accommodate Kurdish rights, demands, and distinct characteristics.
The discussion between President Barzani and Minister Lindner also covered the Kurdistan Region’s political landscape, including ongoing party dialogue and cabinet formation efforts.
Minister Lindner praised the successful execution of October’s Kurdistan parliamentary elections, noting both the peaceful proceedings and impressive voter turnout as exemplary democratic achievements.
The meeting underscored the longstanding Kurdish-German relationship. President Barzani expressed gratitude for Germany’s support of Kurdistan’s peshmerga forces in their fight against ISIS terrorists.
The German delegation reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Kurdish people and maintaining coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) under all circumstances.
Furthermore, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also met with the German delegation .
It was a pleasure to welcome my friend, Minister Tobias Lindner. We discussed bilateral cooperation and regional developments. I expressed our gratitude to the German government and parliament for their steadfast military, political, and humanitarian support. pic.twitter.com/82P5RFleul
— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) January 23, 2025
The Kurdistan Region Presidency said in a readout that the meeting addressed various topics, including the advancement of German relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the dynamics between Erbil and Baghdad, the upcoming German parliamentary elections, and the current situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Discussions also centered on the changes in Syria and the latest developments in the Middle East.
Nechirvan Barzani expressed his gratitude to Germany for its ongoing assistance to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region across the military, political, and humanitarian sectors. He emphasized the Kurdistan Region’s eagerness to enhance collaboration with Germany in various domains.
Minister Lindner conveyed his appreciation for the peaceful voting process during the Kurdistan parliamentary elections, highlighting the impressive voter turnout. He also discussed the ongoing efforts to establish a new Cabinet for the KRG, sharing insights on this matter with Nechirvan Barzani.
