Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is scheduled to arrive in Erbil the capital of Kurdistan Region on Saturday to engage with senior officials and the Peshmerga ministry. He will be welcomed by Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail, as confirmed by Shako Osman, spokesperson for the Peshmerga ministry.
According to the Peshmerga ministry, the Italian defense minister will also visit Italian troops deployed in Erbil military base as part of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), along with military advisors and the Italian consulate in Erbil.
Following these visits, he will hold several meetings with senior Kurdish officials.Earlier this year, Rome elevated its consulate in Erbil to the status of a consulate general.Italy has been a member of the global anti-ISIS coalition, which was established in 2014 in response to the jihadists’ takeover of significant territories in Iraq and Syria.
Italy is an active member of the global anti-ISIS coalition, which was established in 2014 in response to the jihadists’ seizing of large territories in Iraq and Syria.In an interview with Kurdish news outlets earlier in April, former Italian envoy to Iraq, Maurizio Greganti, highlighted the “excellent” relations between Rome and Erbil, noting that Italians and Kurds share a strong bond.
He emphasized the Italian embassy’s proactive efforts to encourage increased investment in the Kurdistan Region, aiming to bolster economic ties and further collaboration.Earlier this month, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Niccolo Fontana, the Italian Ambassador to Iraq.
During their discussions, Barzani reiterated Erbil’s commitment to enhancing diplomatic and economic ties with Rome, signaling a mutual interest in strengthening partnerships across various sectors. These engagements reflect a broader strategy by both regions to foster cooperation and development amidst the evolving geopolitical landscape.
