Rome, Italy, April 13, 2023

On the last leg of his trip to Italy, President Nechirvan Barzani met with Mr. Guido Crosetto, the Defense Minister of Italy in Rome Thursday. The President expressed his gratitude for Italy’s military support to the Peshmarga in the war against ISIS and looked forward to continued security and military partnership of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with Italy.

For his part, the Italian Minister of Defense expressed his country’s praise for the role of the Kurdistan Region in improving the security and stability of Iraq and the wider region, and in fighting terrorism. He also thanked the Kurdistan Region for cooperation and coordination with the Italian forces in the Kurdistan Region.

Furthermore, both sides expressed their willingness to continue cooperation on security and fighting terrorism, and agreed that the economic conditions and security are interconnected; therefore it is imperative to strengthen the economy of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

They also exchanged views on the latest developments in the wider region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/italys-minister-of-defense-praises-the-role-of-the-kurdistan-region/

Rome, Italy, April 13, 2023

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani was received by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, Thursday evening.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations of Italy with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and ways to expand mutual cooperation, especially in the economic and energy sectors.

Prime Minister Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to continue supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and reiterated that Italy attaches great importance to the peace and stability of Iraq and Kurdistan. Ms. Meloni described Italy’s relations with Baghdad and Erbil as valuable.

Discussions also covered the latest developments in Iraq, the ongoing efforts to resolve the issues between Erbil and Baghdad and the situation in the wider region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/italy-continues-to-support-iraq-and-the-kurdistan-region/

Rome, Italy, April 13, 2023

Continuing his meetings in Italy, President Nechirvan Barzani met today in Rome with Mr. Lorenzo Fontana, the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with Italy, and discussed the political situation in Iraq and the latest developments in the wider region.

President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Italy’s political and military support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and reiterated the willingness of the Kurdistan Region to further develop and strengthen relations with Italy in all areas.

For his part, Mr. Fontana stressed that his country attaches great importance to its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and valued the great role of the Peshmerga in defeating ISIS and protecting and hosting the displaced people, especially Christian refugees. In this regard, Mr. Fontana said, “The people of Kurdistan should be proud of themselves.”

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-president-of-the-chamber-of-deputies-of-italy/

Rome, Italy, April 13, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met today with Mr. Ignazio La Russa, the President of the Senate of the Republic of Italy.

In the meeting, President Nechirvan Barzani thanked Italy for its assistance and support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS and terrorism.

For his part, the President of the Italian Senate expressed his gratitude for the Kurdistan Region and the role of the Peshmerga in defeating ISIS, stating that: “We thank you for standing against ISIS on behalf of the entire world.” Senator Ignazio La Russa also stated that his country attaches importance to their relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Bilateral relations between the two sides and ways to expand areas of cooperation were also discussed at the meeting.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-the-president-of-the-senate-of-the-republic-of-italy/

Rome, Italy, April 13, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met today in Rome with Mr. Antonio Tajani, the Foreign Minister of Italy.

The meeting discussed strengthening of bilateral relations of Italy with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, opportunities for Italian investments and jobs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and expanding collective cooperation, especially in the fields of economy and energy.

President Nechirvan Barzani expressed willingness to further develop relations with Italy, reiterating that Iraq and the Kurdistan Region greatly value their relations with Italy and look forward to further expanding mutual partnership.

For his part, the Foreign Minister of Italy reiterated his country’s desire to expand relations in all fields with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. In this regard, Mr. Tajani mentioned that Italy will raise their level of official representation in the Kurdistan Region from Consulate to Consulate General, and described his country’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region as special.

Discussions also covered the situation in Iraq, the Erbil-Baghdad relations, and other issues of mutual interest.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/italy-raises-its-level-of-official-representation-in-the-kurdistan-region/

Vatican City, April 13, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met today with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, in Vatican City.

The meeting discussed the situation in Iraq, and the status of the communities in the country, particularly the Christians. The meeting also highlighted the efforts to support Christians to stay in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The Vatican State Secretary praised the role of President Nechirvan Barzani and his efforts to bring the parties together and to resolve the issues in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, reaffirming the full support of the Holy See for the Kurdistan Region.

The Vatican Secretary of State expressed his appreciation for the opening of the Catholic University in the Kurdistan Region and the efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government to support the university and its expansion. Cardinal Parolin referred to his trip to Kurdistan Region last year as constructive, and described the status of the religious and ethnic communities in Kurdistan Region as promising.

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

Vatican City, April 13, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani had an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on Thursday morning.

During his audience, the President expressed his delight over seeing His Holiness in good health, and wished him wellbeing and a long life. The President then presented an overview of the situation in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and highlighted the status of the religious and ethnic communities in the country.

The President referred to the importance and impact of Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and stressed that the Kurdistan Region as always protects the rights and liberties of all religious and ethnic communities, and will remain a country of peaceful coexistence and tolerance for all.

For his part, His Holiness Pope Francis expressed delight at meeting the President again, and praised the culture of peaceful coexistence and acceptance among religious and ethnic communities in the country, emphasizing that this culture should be deepened in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. His Holiness called his last journey to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region a happy memory.

At the end of his audience, President Nechirvan Barzani presented Pope Francis with a painting made by a Kurdish artist which illustrated the coexistence among the religious and ethnic communities in the Kurdistan Region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzanis-audience-with-his-holiness-pope-francis/