Peregraf — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met Monday in Rome with Italian President Sergio Mattarella to discuss relations between Italy, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, one day after his meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
Following the meeting, Nechirvan Barzani said he was pleased to discuss the "friendly and historical relations" between Italy, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region with the Italian president.
"We emphasized our shared desire to further develop relations in various fields," Barzani said.
Italian Support
Barzani thanked Italy for its continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including political, humanitarian, and developmental assistance.
He also highlighted Italy's military support during the war against ISIS.
Italy has been among the members of the International Coalition supporting Iraqi and Kurdish forces during counter-ISIS operations.
Visit Follows Vatican Meeting
The Rome meeting came one day after Nechirvan Barzani met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
According to the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the two sides discussed coexistence, minorities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and broader regional developments.
During the Vatican meeting, Barzani emphasized that Christians and other religious and ethnic communities are "an authentic and inseparable part" of the Kurdistan Region's history, culture, and national identity.
He also formally invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
According to the presidency statement, the Pope praised the culture of tolerance and coexistence in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and commended the Region's role in sheltering displaced people and protecting Christians during periods of conflict.
The two sides additionally discussed regional stability and expressed hope for peace and security across the region.