Baghdad - INA

The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, received Italy's highest honor.

The Presidency of the Region stated in a press release received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "during a ceremony held in Erbil, Barzani was awarded the Order of the Star of Italy, Grand Cross, by the President of the Italian Republic. This is the first time this honor has been bestowed upon a figure in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region."

The statement added that "this honor was bestowed during a ceremony attended by the Italian Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, representatives of various parties and institutions in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and a number of diplomatic missions and guests. During the ceremony, the Italian Ambassador to Iraq, Niccolò Fontana, presented the honor to President Nechirvan Barzani."

According to the statement, the Italian Ambassador said in his remarks on the occasion: “This honor recognizes the exceptional and distinguished political standing of President Nechirvan Barzani and his pivotal role in strengthening relations. It also expresses gratitude for his continuous efforts to achieve dialogue and peace, his support for Italian companies, the opening and upgrading of the Italian Consulate General in Erbil, and the provision of full support and assistance to Italian military forces and archaeological teams in the Kurdistan Region.”

The Italian Ambassador added that “this ceremony is a reaffirmation of Italy’s genuine friendship with Iraq and Kurdistan, a friendship for which President Nechirvan Barzani has been a staunch advocate.” He praised the President of the Kurdistan Region’s pragmatic leadership and expressed hope that Iraq and Kurdistan would continue to benefit from his leadership.

For his part, the President of the Kurdistan Region delivered a speech on the occasion, expressing his “deep happiness and pride in this honor,” and extending his thanks and appreciation to “the President of the Republic, the government, and the people of Italy.”

Barzani noted that "this reflects Italy's long-standing and historical relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and is an appreciation of everyone who participated in building and strengthening these relations."