Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (gov.krd) - On the second day of its official visit to Italy, Kurdistan Regional Government delegation was received yesterday by the Italian Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and Italy, the latest developments in the war against Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, and the recent victories achieved by the Peshmerga Forces.

The liberation of the city of Mosul and the importance of including various Iraqi ethnic and religious groups in the operation in coordination with the international coalition forces, were highlighted in the talks.

The situation of the displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees who fled ISIS violence and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region, the agreement reached between Erbil and Baghdad last December and the crisis in Syria and its repercussion on the neighbouring countries, were topics also discussed in the meeting.

Foreign Minister Gentiloni stressed his country’s commitment to provide humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region. He reiterated what the Italian Prime Minister had announced the day earlier regarding upgrading Italy’s diplomatic representation to Consulate General. He added that this decision was the evidence of the importance that Rome places in its relationship with Erbil.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to the Italian government for supporting the Kurdistan Region in its fight against terrorism and for its decision to upgrade the level of its diplomatic representation in Erbil to Consulate General.

Regarding the relationship with Baghdad, Prime Minister said the Kurdistan Regional Government remains fully committed to the agreement that it signed with the federal Iraqi government, adding that the Kurdistan Regional Government was always ready to settle all the issues with Baghdad through dialogue and mutual understanding.

The meeting was also attended by KRG Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Kamal Muslim, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee and the KRG Representative to Italy Ms Rezan Hama Salih.