Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received General Claudio Graziano, Chief of Defence Staff of the Italian Armed Forces, and his accompanying delegation.

General Graziano expressed his satisfaction with the level of cooperation and coordination between the Peshmerga and Italian forces, especially in the area of Mosul Dam, where Italian troops are deployed to protect the dam and an Italian company in charge of reparation of the dam.

Discussing bilateral relations, General Graziano reiterated that his country will continue its support for the Peshmarga forces.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his appreciation to the Government of Italy for its support to the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces and praised the role of its forces in protecting the Mosul Dam. He also commended the strong cooperation and coordination between the Peshmerga and the Italian forces.

The two sides also discussed the latest regional developments, the operation to liberate the city of Mosul from ISIS, the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad and Kurdistan Region’s decision to hold independence referendum in September.