Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday expressed his appreciation for Germany’s longstanding support to the Kurdistan Region, particularly during the fight against ISIS and in assisting Yazidi refugees.

Barzani made the remarks during a meeting in Erbil with Kassem Taher Saleh, a member of Germany’s Federal Parliament from the Green Party.

The Kurdistan Region president praised the German Parliament for its support during difficult times, especially during the war against terrorism. He also thanked Germany for sheltering and assisting Yazidis who fled ISIS genocide and persecution.

The two sides discussed recent developments in the region and ways to further strengthen relations between the Kurdistan Region and Germany across various fields.

Germany has maintained close relations with the Kurdistan Region for more than a decade, particularly in security, humanitarian assistance and diplomatic cooperation.

Berlin became directly involved in supporting the Kurdistan Region’s fight against ISIS in 2014, providing the Peshmerga with military equipment, including anti-tank weapons and assault rifles. German troops were also deployed to Erbil later that year to train Peshmerga forces.

Germany has additionally contributed to the NATO Mission in Iraq, which focuses on advising and building the capacity of Iraq’s security institutions to counter terrorism and prevent the resurgence of ISIS.