The Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Wednesday welcomed Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto. The two sides discussed the latest developments in Iraq and relations between Kurdistan and Italy.

The Italian Minister carried a message of gratitude and a formal invitation to visit Rome from his country’s Prime Minister. He also emphasised Italy's historic friendship with the Kurds and continuing support for Peshmerga Forces in order to fight terrorism and protect the security and stability of the region.

The Kurdistan Prime Minister reiterated his appreciation for Italy’s close ties and support to Kurdistan, wishing that the two sides will further strengthen relations of all kinds. He also added that Kurdistan sees great potential in learning from Italy’s successful experiences.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/may/prime-minister-masrour-barzani-receives-italian-minister-of-defence/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, May 3, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil Ms. Barbara Leaf, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

In the meeting, attended by the US Ambassador to Iraq and the US Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, discussions covered a wide range of issues including the US relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, areas of joint cooperation, and the political and economic situation in the country. They also discussed the situation in the Kurdistan Region and the current negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad.

Both sides stressed their commitment to the framework and timetable of the joint Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and the US Department of Defense on the reform process in the Ministry and the ongoing reorganization and unification of the Peshmerga forces. They also reaffirmed the importance of unity among Kurdistan parties and resolution of internal problems in the Kurdistan Region, and commended the current coordination and cooperation between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government.

Expanding US cooperation with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, especially in the economic field, was also highlighted during the meeting. Discussions also focused on the ways to boost the economy of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, highlighting the investment opportunities for US businesses and private sectors in the Kurdistan Region.

The latest developments in the fight against ISIS, the situation in the wider region and several issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-us-assistant-secretary-of-state-3/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, May 3, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil the Italian Defense Minister, Mr. Guido Crosetto.

The meeting discussed the development of Italy’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the latest visit of President Nechirvan Barzani to Rome, the political developments in Iraq, and the ongoing talks between Erbil and Baghdad. They also discussed the Italian contributions within the international coalition against ISIS, and the latest developments in the fight against terrorism.

President Nechirvan Barzani expressed the Kurdistan Region’s gratitude for the role and military support of Italy in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS, expressing the Kurdistan Region’s keenness to further develop relations with Italy, particularly expanding the joint cooperation on security issues. The President also showed appreciation for the contributions of the Italian forces in the Kurdistan Region in training the Peshmerga forces.

For his part, the Italian Defense Minister expressed his country’s continued military support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and appreciated the contributions of the Kurdistan Region in defeating ISIS. Mr. Crosetto reiterated that his country attaches great importance to its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and considers the peace and stability of the country as important for the wider region and the world.

The meeting, attended by the Italian Ambassador to Iraq, the Italian Consul General in the Kurdistan Region and the commander of the Italian forces, also discussed issues of common interest, the ramifications of the war in Ukraine and the latest developments in the wider region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-defense-minister-of-italy/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, May 1, 2023

On the occasion of the International Labor Day, May Day, I offer my warmest greetings to all workers in Kurdistan, Iraq and the world. I extend my congratulations to their unions and organizations. I salute the participation and sacrifices of the Kurdistan workers during the days of struggle and revolution, and applaud their outstanding role and hard work in the process of reconstruction of Kurdistan. I wish them success.

On this occasion, I express all support for the rights and legitimate demands of workers, and emphasize the need for a modern labor law to protect workers’ rights, and to promote acceptable conditions of labor with respect to minimum wages, hours of work, and occupational safety and health. The welfare of workers and their families should be improved and trade unions and organizations should work more effectively for their rights.

The institutions and relevant authorities of the Kurdistan Region have a duty to protect and promote workers’ rights to a decent standard of living, and to fully support families who have lost their loved ones in work-related incidents.

I wish everyone a happy International Labor Day.

Nechirvan Barzani

The President of the Kurdistan Region

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/congratulations-from-president-nechirvan-barzani-on-international-workers-day/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, April 24, 2023

On the 49th anniversary of the bombing of the University of Sulaimani and the city of Qaladiza, we commemorate the martyrs and the victims of this heinous crime of the former Iraqi regime. We pay tribute to the memories of the fallen heroes and salute their proud families.

The targeting of the University of Sulaimani and the city of Qaladiza was another criminal attempt by the former regime to break the will of the people of Kurdistan. But the martyrdom of the students, the university teachers and civilians in Qaladiza further strengthened the determination of the people of Kurdistan and their resistance spirit to continue their struggle for freedom.

On this occasion, we reiterate our full support for the demands of the people of Qaladiza and Pishdar, including their demands for more and better public services. Pishdar area has always been a stronghold of Kurdistan uprisings and has made great sacrifices for the sake of freedom.

Tributes to the souls of the fallen heroes. Their memories will forever be with us.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzanis-message-on-the-49th-anniversary-of-the-bombing-of-qaladiza/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, April 17, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani chaired a meeting with a high-level delegation of the coalition forces led by Major General Matthew McFarlane, the commanding general of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and other relevant agencies of the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting, which was attended by the US Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, discussed the reorganization and reform of the Peshmerga forces and assessed the stages of implementation of the plan within the framework of the agreement between the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and the US Department of Defense. They also discussed the obstacles and challenges facing the process of reunifying the Peshmerga and reorganizing them in a modern fashion within the framework of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.

For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani appreciated the continuous support of the coalition partners to the Peshmerga in all fields and during the different stages, and stressed the need to accelerate the steps to reunite the Peshmerga and to remove obstacles to the process of unification, and expressed his readiness for any assistance and support in this regard.

Major General McFarlane reaffirmed the continued support and assistance of the coalition partners for the Peshmerga in various fields and the implementation of the steps to reorganize the Peshmerga within the framework of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, and to assist the Kurdistan Region to command a unified national force.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-chairs-a-meeting-between-the-coalition-forces-and-the-peshmerga-ministry/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, April 16, 2023

Today, 16th of April, we commemorate the 36th anniversary of a crime of the former Iraqi regime which marked the start of a long campaign of chemical attacks on civilian populations in Kurdistan, namely the heinous chemical assault on the people, land and nature of Balisan, Shekh Wasanan and the Valley of Khoshnawaty.

We pay tribute to the fallen heroes of this crime and salute their souls and memories. We pay tribute to the victims of this horrendous crime who were deprived of treatment by the regime, and consequently had to endure great pain and hardships together with their families and loved ones.

Balisan, Shekh Wasanan and the Valley of Khoshnawati were continuously the centre of resistance against the regime oppression. These regions unswervingly supported the uprisings in Kurdistan and provided sanctuary for the Peshmarga, which is why they were targeted by the regime with chemical weapons in April 1987.

On this occasion we reiterate the need to serve these regions and their people more profoundly.

We pay tribute to the memories of the fallen heroes.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of Kurdistan Region

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/a-message-from-the-president-of-the-kurdistan-region-2/

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani issued a statement on the 35th anniversary of the genocidal campaign of the 1988, known as the Anfal, in which more than 182,000 people were systematically killed by the former Iraqi Ba’ath regime. Below is the statement:

Today, on the 35th anniversary of the Anfal crimes committed by the former Iraqi regime in 1988 against the people of Kurdistan and their land, we remember and pay tribute to the 182,000 martyrs of the genocidal campaign, and salute the families of the victims.

On this day, we reiterate that the Iraqi government must reimburse the families of the victims of Anfal in all aspects, and enforce the decision of the Iraqi High Tribunal, which has recognized Anfal as genocide, and war crime and crime against humanity. And in the Kurdistan Region, the survivors of Anfal should be provided greater and better services.

The constitutional status of the Kurdistan Region is the outcome of the struggle of hundreds of thousands of fallen heroes of horrendous crimes such as Anfal, chemical attacks and the sacrifices of the people of Kurdistan. We must make every effort to give Anfal greater international recognition, and never allow such crimes to be repeated anywhere in the world.

Tributes to the souls of the fallen heroes.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzanis-message-in-commemoration-of-anfal/