Relation between Germany and Federal Kurdistan is growing
German consulate opened in Kurdistan
Ararat News –Publishing (ANP) – Roni ALASOR – 19/2/2009 / Brussels – Last Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier opened the first German Consulate General in Erbil in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. Consul-General Oliver Schnakenberg will head the German mission in Kurdistan.
Mesut Berzani, the President of Kurdistan Region in Iraq, the Kurdish Parliament and Prime Minister Nechirvan Berzani appreciated highly the visit of Mr. Steinmeier and they welcomed the opening of the German Consulate General. Kurdish President Masoud Barzani, the Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament Adnan Mufti, Prime Minister Necirvan Barzani, and many other high level politicians from both side was attending to the meetings. The representatives of leading German companies as Siemens and MAN, but also the German cultural institutions was attended.
With opening its consulate Germany became number of 13 nations with diplomatic representation in the Kurdistan. Burhan Jaf, the Head of Kurdistan Regional Government in EU Mission in Brussels, welcomed the German Consulate General and he said that they are expecting other EU-member countries. Bulgaria is now in the list to open its consulate in Kurdish capital city Erbil.
The Kurdish 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."
(Photo KRG) - 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. During his visit in Iraq and Kurdistan Region, the German Federal Minister Steinmeier underlined his country`s support to Iraq and Kurdistan Region, especially support for reconstruction, in the areas of infrastructure and basic and further training.
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 Nechirvan 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."
In Kurdistan capital city Erbil, Federal Minister Steinmeier was also visited a partner school offering German courses and opened a leadership academy, which is to provide further training for Iraqi administrative officers and judges.
Sources ; Kurdistan Regional Government and German Foreign Ministry
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