Kurdistan
Italian Ambassador to Iraq Niccolo Fontana (left) meets Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil on April 24, 2025. Photo: Kurdistan Region Presidency
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Thursday received Italian Ambassador to Iraq Niccolo Fontana for talks on strengthening cooperation, according to a statement from his office.
“The meeting focused on Italy’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with an emphasis on strengthening cooperation in areas such as the economy, culture, education, and the preservation of cultural heritage,” read the statement.
“President Nechirvan Barzani expressed appreciation for Italy’s active role in the international coalition against ISIS [Islamic State], as well as its continued support for the Peshmerga forces and development initiatives,” it added.
They also discussed regional developments and the broader situation in the Middle East.
The Italian ambassador, in a post on X, said he had an “enriching and in-depth conversation” with President Barzani and they agreed on a goal of boosting the presence of Italian companies in the Kurdistan Region.
Rome and Erbil enjoy good ties and last year Italy upgraded its consulate in Erbil to a consulate general.
Italy is a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) that was formed by the United States in 2014 when the terror group seized control of a swath of Iraqi and Syrian land. Italian forces have had a key role in training Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
“The meeting focused on Italy’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with an emphasis on strengthening cooperation in areas such as the economy, culture, education, and the preservation of cultural heritage,” read the statement.
“President Nechirvan Barzani expressed appreciation for Italy’s active role in the international coalition against ISIS [Islamic State], as well as its continued support for the Peshmerga forces and development initiatives,” it added.
They also discussed regional developments and the broader situation in the Middle East.
The Italian ambassador, in a post on X, said he had an “enriching and in-depth conversation” with President Barzani and they agreed on a goal of boosting the presence of Italian companies in the Kurdistan Region.
Rome and Erbil enjoy good ties and last year Italy upgraded its consulate in Erbil to a consulate general.
Italy is a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) that was formed by the United States in 2014 when the terror group seized control of a swath of Iraqi and Syrian land. Italian forces have had a key role in training Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment