Munich Security Conference enters its third day

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

They spoke on boosting ties in the energy, economic and industrial sectors and broadening cooperation according to the joint action plan approved in Germany in 2023.

Sudani also spoke on Iraq’s current work to affect regional stability, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

The prime minister said the international community’s reaction to the ongoing crisis in Gaza was not proportional to the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe and warned it was affecting regional security. He emphasized the need for a prompt international response to the war.

Sudani also met with the CEO of Siemens Energy, Christian Bruch, and reviewed projects undertaken by the company in Iraq. They spoke on the joint memorandum between Siemens and the oil ministry into investment and development in the gas field.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President Kamala Harris held a joint press conference at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

Harris said aid to Ukraine, currently stalled in the US Congress, must not be held up by political maneuvering.

“As it relates to our support for Ukraine, we must be unwavering, and we cannot play political games,” she said.

The press conference came following a meeting between Harris and Zelensky, and the vice president noted their last meeting came exactly five days before Russia invaded Ukraine.

“You and I have had many conversations over these past two years and you have shown extraordinary courage –- and accomplishment on the battlefield,” Harris told Zelensky.

Ukraine’s president thanked Harris for Washington’s support and stressed the need for Washington’s unity during such a challenging period for us, and of course in the United States.”

Zelensky said in the press conference that he did “not think that our strategic partner will allow itself to stop supporting Ukraine.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

They spoke on bilateral relations, ways to boost economic partnership and how improve sustainable development.

They also discussed the situation in Gaza. Sudani emphasized the need to put an end to the conflict and called on the international community to provide humanitarian aid and to prevent the resulting spread of regional tensions.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron at the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

They spoke on recent developments in Iraq and the Middle East and efforts to advance peace and security, the president said on X.

Barzani also met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev on Saturday.

The President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Talabani, said crude oil exports from the Kurdistan Region would not resume promptly.

Speaking at the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Talabani told Argus Media that the oil flow would not restart “any time soon” and that the situation between Baghdad and Erbil was “very delicate.”

Even a small mistake could affect the situation, he added.

The pipeline shut down in March 2023 when Turkey lost an international arbitration case with the Iraqi federal government.

Turkey said in October the pipeline was prepared to restart operations and that the delay was due to disputes between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has held a number of meetings with officials in Baghdad but serious disagreements over international oil companies’ contracts and the KRG’s commitments with trading firms have hindered any restart to the pipeline’s flow.

The Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (Apikur), which represents oil firms operating in the Kurdistan Region, has been working to persuade US members of Congress to intervene.

Apikur is now making efforts to appeal to US officials at the Munich conference over the issue.

A possible solution involves an amendment to Baghdad’s budget that would allow the federal government to pay international oil companies working in the Kurdistan Region.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to encourage countries to take back their citizens from al-Hol camp in Syria.

The Iraqi prime minister met with the head of the ICRC on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Sudani’s press office said in a statement.

Sudani told the Red Cross delegation that cooperation would help reduce the likelihood that the camp’s residents would turn to extremism or be used by “terrorists.

The sprawling refugee camp in Hasaka, which is under the control of Syrian Kurdish forces, has nearly 50,000 residents, the majority women and children who are affiliated with the Islamic State.

In another part of the meeting, the two sides discussed the Gaza war, the guest delegation emphasized the work of the organization in conflict areas.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the second day of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday committed to a NATO target of 2 percent of GDP on military spending in the coming decades. 

He said about 80 percent of a special 100 billion euro fund for the Germany military has been committed. 

“I know this isn’t easy,” said Scholz. “There are critical voices here as well and Moscow is fanning the flames.”

Scholz also spoke on the war in Ukraine and Israel’s offensive in Gaza. 

He said Germany will contribute a further 7 billion euros in aid this year and called on other European countries to match it.

“One thing is crystal clear, we Europeans need to do much more for our security, now and in the future,” the German leader said.

“I very much wish — and this is something that me and some of my colleagues are lobbying for here — that similar decisions will be taken in other capital cities,” Scholz said.

On the fighting between Hamas and the Israeli army, the German chancellor said more humanitarian aid should be delivered to the Gaza Strip and that Germany has been involved in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the war. 

”I’m discussing with many of the leaders all around, in Jordan, in Qatar, in United Arab Emirates, in Saudi Arabia, and in Turkey, and so on, and we’re also giving a lot of views, we’re sharing our views also with the Israeli government,” he said.

“We are very clear in this that obeying international law and the rules is something which is not just something we do because we subscribed (to) some agreements globally, it is something which is coming out of our perspective of humankind and how we want to be, and how we want to see ourselves,” he added.

Bafel Jalal Talabani convened with former US Senator Joe Lieberman during the Munich Security Conference to deliberate on political advancements within the Kurdistan Region.

The discussion encompassed economic, security, and Kurdish concerns within the region, with a focus on safeguarding shared and national interests among the regional nations.

President Nechirvan Barzani met with a delegation from the United States Senate during his attendance at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. Led by Senator Dan Sullivan, the delegation and the President delved into discussions concerning bilateral relations between the United States and both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The session also addressed the latest security developments in Iraq.

Both parties reiterated their dedication to bolstering US-Iraqi relations as outlined in their strategic agreement, encompassing deliberations on recent attacks targeting coalition forces in Iraq and the ensuing security and military actions.

President Nechirvan Barzani and the US Senate delegation concurred on the paramount importance of safeguarding the well-being of coalition forces and diplomatic representatives in Iraq. They stressed the imperative of thwarting armed factions that imperil Iraq’s peace, stability, and sovereignty.

The Senate delegation reaffirmed the United States’ ongoing support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in their battle against terrorism, notably combating the menace posed by ISIS and other security dilemmas. Additionally, they underscored the significance of their nation’s ties with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. President Barzani expressed gratitude to the US Congress and Senate for their steadfast backing of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Jalal Talabani, met with David Miliband, the CEO and President of the International Rescue Committee, on Friday.

Talabani spoke with Miliband on the latest political changes in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

He said the region was in a delicate situation and required responsible dialogue.

The PUK leader stated the party’s efforts were required to prevent a more complicated situation and to avoid conflicts.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with Admiral Stuart Munsch, the NATO Commander of the Allied Joint Forces, during their meeting at the Munich Security Conference.

The meeting primarily focused on key issues about regional security, with particular emphasis on the ongoing cooperation between the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) and Iraqi security authorities.

As the coalition withdrawal continues, logistical support post-coalition withdrawal and the upcoming NATO leadership transition to the Netherlands in May were also significant topics of discussion.

During the meeting, Sudani expressed his appreciation for the robust collaboration between the Iraqi Armed Forces and NATO, which has played a vital role in enhancing security and stability within the region.

He underscored the importance of such partnerships in addressing the complex security challenges facing Iraq and the broader Middle East.

In response, Munsch conveyed his gratitude for the unwavering support provided by the Iraqi government to the NATO Mission Iraq. He emphasized the critical role of cooperation and coordination between NATO and Iraqi security forces in ensuring the success of their joint efforts.

Additionally, Munsch reiterated NATO’s commitment to continuing its support for Iraq in its pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity.

Bafel Jalal Talabani, the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) met with the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, John Kerry, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday.

Talabani and Kerry spoke on the political situation in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and the effects of climate change in the country, emphasizing the importance of managing its impact, a statement from the PUK leader’s office said.

Talabani spoke on the PUK’s policy and strategy and said its efforts were to “maintain stability, provide services and create a healthier environment.”

Kerry praised the PUK leader’s efforts and said that he continued to work in the same spirit as former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

He said Talabani’s steps worked to maintain unity and solidarity between the political parties, according to the statement.

Nechirvan Barzani met with António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the Munich Security Conference.

Underscoring the paramount importance of the U.N. in reinstating global peace and security. Barzani conveyed appreciation to the Secretary-General for the enduring assistance the U.N. has extended to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region throughout the years.

On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, KRI President Nechirvan Barzani met with the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The focus of their discussions revolved around strengthening cooperation between Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq, and Greece, with an emphasis on advancing security and stability across the broader region.

During the Munich Security Conference, Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, held talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

Their agenda centered on bolstering bilateral ties and Iraq’s potential as an investment hub.

The Munich Security Conference kicks off on Friday and will be attended by 50 heads of state and 100 ministers.

In addition to government officials, military and security officials, experts, and representatives of NGOs will participate.

The Gaza war and its consequences, the Ukraine war, migration, climate change, and artificial intelligence will be among the most prominent issues to be discussed.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US Vice President Kamala Harris, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the three-day conference.

China, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani, and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan President Bafel Jalal Talabani will also attend the meeting.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, the prime ministers of Lebanon, Qatar, and Kuwait, as well as the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Oman, will also attend the conference.

Russian and Iranian government officials have not been invited, but some Russian and Iranian organizations and personalities outside the government will attend the conference.

More than 5,000 German police officers will secure the venue, with a 5.5-kilometer radius around the venue.

Since 1963, the conference has been held annually in February, except in 2021, when it was held online due to the coronavirus.

The conference is funded by the German Federal Government, the Bavarian Government and private sector companies.

Its coordinators are the German Foreign Ministry, German Defense, German Development, the German Army, and the Bavarian Regional Government Office for Security and Information.

Senior officials in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq set off for Germany on Thursday to join the Munich Security Conference.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Talabani, have both left for Munich.

Barzani is expected to meet with international leaders and senior officials for talks on security and stability in Iraq and the region, as well as the Kurdistan Region’s position on these issues, the presidency’s official website said.

Talabani will hold key talks with senior officials from the Middle East, Europe, and the United States to outline the PUK’s strategy and response to the main issues.

The PUK leader’s discussions will focus on maintaining stability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region while avoiding regional tensions.

The Munich Security Conference will run from February 16 to 18. It examines crucial issues, including the situation in Gaza and its effects in the Middle East and worldwide.