Middle East News
Kurdish president discusses bilateral ties on German visit (Roundup)
Mar 4, 2009, 16:26 GMT
Berlin - The President of the Kurdish Autonomous Region of Iraq, Massoud Barzani, held talks Wednesday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and government ministers, during a visit to Berlin aimed at improving diplomatic and economic ties.
Barzani and Merkel discussed the political and constitutional situation in the Kurdish Autonomous Region and Iraq as a whole, a government spokesman said.
The chancellor specifically addressed the issue of protecting religious minorities in Iraq, spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm added.
Merkel also welcomed the improved cooperation between Turkey and Iraq with regards to the Kurdish region.
Both leaders emphasised their willingness to seize opportunities for improved relations, especially on economic issues, Wilhelm said.
Earlier in the day, Barzani had met with Foreign Minister Frank- Walter Steinmeier, to discuss bilateral relations between the two regions.
Barzani's 3-day trip, initiated by Germany's Economics Ministry, is also to include meetings with Economics Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and industry contacts.
The trip comes two weeks after Steinmeier visited Iraq and inaugurated a German consulate in the city of Erbil, in the Kurdish Autonomous Region to the north of the country.
Foreign office spokespersons confirmed that Barzani and Steinmeier also spoke about relations with Iran and Syria. They would not give further details about the discussions on these diplomatically sensitive topics.
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