ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - During his two-day visit to Italy, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Rome, where both leaders discussed advancing relations “across various fields,” the Kurdish President’s office said in a statement.
“President Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed the gratitude and appreciation of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq for Italy's continuous support and cooperation, as well as its ongoing efforts to maintain stability in the region,” the Kurdistan Region Presidency reported.
It further cited Tajani as hailing the Region’s status as a “stabilizing factor in the area” while expressing readiness to expand “mutual cooperation” with Baghdad and Erbil.
The two senior officials also touched on the “latest developments in the Middle East and their implications,” underscoring the vital importance of de-escalating tensions and preserving peace and stability.
Meanwhile, the Italian foreign minister said in a post on X that he confirmed Italy’s “full solidarity” with the Kurdistan Region over the attacks it has endured “in recent months,” while affirming their commitment to “stability, security, and de-escalation in the Middle East.”
Since the outbreak of the six-week war in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region has endured around 809 attacks by Tehran and Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq through April 20, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) reports, adding that at least 20 individuals were killed and more than 120 injured as a result.
Kurdish officials have repeatedly condemned the attacks, emphasizing neutrality and non-belligerence.
“I emphasized the decisive role of the Kurdish authorities in Iraq's political and institutional stability,” Tajani said in the post, while thanking them “for the important action of the Erbil government in safeguarding the Christian community.”
Rome’s chief diplomat further reiterated Italy's support to Baghdad and Erbil, urging the “strengthening of bilateral economic partnership that allows our businesses to export more and more.”
Earlier on Tuesday, President Barzani met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome, where they discussed bilateral support and emphasized their desire to expand cooperation.
The Kurdish leader further met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where he reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to protecting Christians and other religious communities.
Meeting with Guido Crosetto, Italy’s defense minister, was also part of the President’s two-day visit to Italy and the Vatican.
Rome and Erbil maintain close ties, and Italy upgraded its diplomatic presence in Erbil to a consulate general in 2024.
Italy is also a member of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS), which was formed in 2014 after the extremist group seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria. Italian forces have played a key role in training Kurdish Peshmerga forces.