Erbil, Kurdistan – Iraq (KRG.org) – German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier made a landmark visit to Erbil today to mark the inauguration of Germany's Consulate General to the Kurdistan Region in Iraq.

Germany is one of 13 nations with diplomatic representation in the Kurdistan Region, four of which now have full consulates general.

Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received Dr Steinmeier, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari, and their accompanying delegations at the airport in Erbil.

President Masoud Barzani, the Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament Adnan Mufti, Prime Minister Barzani, and senior Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials met Foreign Minister Steinmeier and his delegation.

President Barzani said, "We are very pleased by this historic visit and invite Germany to participate in rebuilding the Region." Regarding the situation in Iraq, he added, "We have continually promoted the development of Iraq, based on democracy and the rule of law."

Dr Steinmeier was pleased by the vast reconstruction under way in the Kurdistan Region, and appreciated President Barzani's invitation to contribute to those efforts.

Foreign Minister Steinmeier and Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani addressed guests at the opening of the Consulate General. Dr Steinmeier stressed the potential that exists for strengthened cooperation between the Kurdistan Region in Iraq and Germany.

Prime Minister Barzani said, "We commend the German government for opening its Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region." He added, " We hope that you return with a positive impression and are able to discuss the stability and peace in the Region with your colleagues in the European Union, so that other countries are encouraged to come to the Kurdistan Region for the same purpose."

Prime Minister Barzani has been actively promoting stronger ties and mutually beneficial relationships with members of the international community.

Accompanying members of the German delegation, which included representatives of leading firms such as Siemens and MAN, met with KRG ministers and officials to discuss opportunities in several areas, including health and electricity.

Dr Dilshad Abdulrahman, the Minister for Education, took the delegation on a tour of the elementary Gara Typical School, a partnership school in which the German language is taught. Students welcomed the guests with German songs, and Dr Abdulrahman and Dr Steinmeier addressed the audience.

The delegation completed its itinerary with a visit to AGEF a German nongovernmental organisation that promotes social, economic and democratic development, with a particular focus on capacity building.

See also

Prime Minister Barzani's speech at the opening of the German Consulate General.

Photos of the German Foreign Minister's visit to Kurdistan Region