Fruitful visit to Erbil by the Italian Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini, on September 29 last.
Minister Guerini and his accompanying delegation were received by the Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

This visit provided an opportunity for both sides to align priorities and emphasise the importance of strengthening relations between the Kurdistan Region and Italy.
Several topics were discussed during the meetings. The general security situation in Iraq, the role and mission of the coalition troops, the recent threats made by armed groups against embassies and diplomatic missions in Iraq, and ISIS terror movements were discussed. Both sides stressed the importance of joint efforts and cooperation with the International Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq.
President Nechirvan Barzani expressed the Kurdistan Region's gratitude and appreciation for Italy's military and humanitarian assistance to the Kurdistan Region and thanked the Italian Parliament's decision to extend the mission of Italian troops in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
The Prime Minister also reiterated that the Region will continue to support Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to preserve stability in the country as the Kurdistan Regional Government works to reach a peaceful solution to ongoing constitutional disputes with the federal government.

Minister Guerini affirmed that Italy will continue to support the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and that the training of Peshmerga forces is expected to resume in the near future after it was suspended due to the coronavirus.
The meeting also covered the latest developments on the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy's experience with the outbreak and its containment, and other topics of mutual interest.