On Monday, a gathering organized by Italy’s Consulate General in Erbil was held for Italy’s National Unity and Armed Forces Day, where Italy’s Consul General Tommaso Sansone reemphasized the strong relationship between Italy and the Kurdistan Region.

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“The occasion marks Italy’s National Unity and Armed Forces Day, a solemn event honoring the dedication and sacrifices of military personnel throughout history and around the world. This year, Italy is also celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic,” Consul General Sansone said in his opening remarks at the event. 

“Although the reception is taking place later than usual, as it could not be held on June 2, Italy’s pride in representing the country in the Kurdistan Region remains as strong as ever.”

Looking back at the previous reception in June 2025, the Italian representative noted how dramatically the regional landscape has changed. However, one thing remains unchanged: “the deep, close, and unwavering friendship between Italy and the Kurdistan Region.”

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“These longstanding ties have been further strengthened by the decision of Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella to award Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani Italy’s highest honor, the rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic,” Consul General Sansone noted.

“The foundations of the partnership remain firmly rooted in diplomatic relations, which will be further strengthened through the construction of a new, more functional Italian consulate building.”

The Italian army withdrew its forces from Iraq in September, ending a 12-year deployment, as part of the Coalition withdrawal from Kurdistan that ended on September 30. Most of the Italian troops had already withdrawn in March due to the security situation caused by the war between the United States and Iran.

“Italy has consistently stood alongside the Kurdistan Region, supporting its security forces and civil society in both peaceful and challenging times,” Consul General Sansone noted. “Following the conclusion of its 12-year military deployment under the international coalition framework, Italian soldiers have returned home. However, Italy is ready to resume mutually beneficial cooperation on a bilateral basis, provided suitable political conditions are in place.”

“Italy and the Kurdistan Region are both home to ancient civilizations, a shared heritage that has fostered extensive cultural cooperation. Twelve Italian archaeological missions continue their research across the region, helping discover and preserve the cultural treasures of Kurdistan, from Zakho to Kalar,” he added.

“Italy’s engagement in the Kurdistan Region also extends to agriculture, healthcare, support for minorities and displaced people, humanitarian demining, and the promotion of Italian language and culture.”

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Moreover, Consul General Sansone highlighted two Italian cultural events taking place in the Kurdistan Region in November: the Festival of Italian Cinema, set to begin in the coming days, and Italian Cuisine Week, which will take place in the iconic setting of the Erbil Citadel.

He also said that Italian companies will participate in Agro Pack Iraq 2026, which will take place from November 23 to 26, 2026.

Safeen Dizayee, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations, underlined that the event showed that “Italy will continue with its bilateral engagement and build a strong partnership with the Kurdistan Region.”

“On this occasion, we would like to express our warm congratulations to the Prime Minister of Italy and the military, who stood by us and helped us during the difficult times in our war against ISIS.”

He also thanked Italy’s Consul General for his encouraging words. “Your partnership and friendship mean a lot to us. Through your investment in our community, we have fought together, shoulder to shoulder, against this immense threat to humanity, both in Iraq and globally. We succeeded in confronting this threat, but we have to continue working to ensure security, stability and control.”

Moreover, Dizayee said that the KRG is ready to support any efforts for collaboration in academia, agriculture, business, and many other fields “that we believe have not yet been fully explored.”

“We have been able to work together very seriously and successfully, particularly in the economic area. The cultural dimension is also important, given the rich cultures shared by both nations. There is a lot to be done, and we appreciate the archaeological teams working tirelessly in various parts of this region to help uncover and preserve artifacts and history that belong to humanity,” he stated.

The KRG official also expressed his condolences for the lives lost of Italian soldiers in recent years. “Your contribution to protecting us from the threat of ISIS is something we will always remember,” he said.