On Tuesday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella in Rome and discussed the longstanding friendship between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Italy.

“I’m delighted to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella today in Rome and discuss the longstanding friendship between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Italy,” President Nechirvan Barzani posted on X.

“We emphasized our shared desire to further broaden ties across various fields.”

“I thanked Italy for its steadfast support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including its political, humanitarian, and development role, as well as its military assistance during the war against terror.”On Sunday, President Nechirvan Barzani met with Italy’s Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto.

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The Kurdistan Region Presidency said their discussion focused on strengthening relations between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Italy in military and security matters, as well as joint efforts to address the threat of terrorism.

President Nechirvan Barzani conveyed the gratitude of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq for Italy’s significant role within the international coalition, particularly in providing advice and training to the Peshmerga forces.

“Today I had the pleasure of meeting the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, who expressed gratitude and appreciation for Italy’s support, including through the Italian presence within the international missions deployed in Kurdistan and Iraq,” Defense Minister Crosetto posted on X.

“It was a valuable opportunity to confirm the friendship and strong ties that unite Italy and the autonomous Kurdistan Region, as well as to highlight the fruitful cooperation between our Armed Forces and the Peshmerga.

“On behalf of the Government, I renewed our firm condemnation of the attacks suffered and our full solidarity with the populations affected by violence and attempts to destabilize the area.

“In an international scenario marked by growing challenges, and with full awareness of Erbil’s central role as a factor of regional balance, Italy’s commitment continues, together with international partners, to contribute to the stability of the Middle East and to counter threats to security, starting with the resurgence of [ISIS],” he concluded.