Merkel expressed Germany’s support for “the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region within the framework of Iraq,” a statement from the KRG read on Monday.

According to Rudaw KRG has stated that it wants to hold talks with the government of Iraq, and respects all rulings of the Federal Court that cancelled the vote, concluded it was unconstitutional, and ruled that the Iraqi constitution does not allow secession.

“This shows the good will of the Kurdistan Region,” Merkel told the Kurdish delegation, the statement said.

“Chancellor Merkel hoped that every effort will be made to start talks between Erbil and Baghdad to solve the problems with Iraq and pointed to the fact that Germany is monitoring the situation,” it continued.

Barzani told the German chancellor that the KRG has always called for dialogue with Baghdad, but that it is the Iraqi government that has refused to enter such talks.

“It is necessary that countries who are friends, such as Germany, help Iraq and the Kurdistan Region so that they can start negotiation,” PM Barzani said at the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and the chief of staff of the Kurdistan Region presidency Fuad Hussein also attended the meeting.

The KRG delegation visited Berlin at the invitation of the German government and met with German officials on Monday, including Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.

KRG’s visit to Germany became the second foreign visit for the KRG leadership, following their visit to France in early December.

Reporter’s code: 50101