On Tuesday, President Masoud Barzani received Stephan Wendt, the newly appointed Head of the EU Liaison Office in Erbil, who underlined that the EU attaches great importance to the Kurdistan Region’s position and influence in Iraq and the wider region.

Furthermore, the EU official praised the openness and hospitality of the people of Kurdistan and underlined that the EU considers itself a supporter and partner of the region.

The meeting also addressed the political situation, developments, and complexities in the region. The two officials exchanged views on the challenges facing efforts to reactivate the Kurdistan Region Parliament and form a new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet amid the ongoing deadlock since the October 2024 elections, with the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s parliamentary bloc calling on parties to reactivate the parliament.

Wendt was also received by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who reaffirmed the KRG’s support for his work.

According to the KRG readout, Wendt underscored the importance of further strengthening relations between the Kurdistan Region and the EU.

The two officials also addressed the KRG’s reform efforts across various sectors, as well as developments in Iraq and the wider region.