Italy encourges Erbil-Baghdad dialogue

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) — Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni in a letter to his Kurdish counterpart encouraged unity among Kurdish parties as well as dialogue with Baghdad while emphasizing that Italy will continue its military presence and training in Kurdistan.

In a letter to KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Gentiloni reiterated his country's commitment to confronting terror.

“Combatting terrorism will remain our common point. We are very satisfied with the military steps taken to liberate the last city held by Islamic State,” the letter from Italian Prime Minister read, as released by PM office.

“Italy is training Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s armed and police forces, and it will remain a leading force in the fight against terror," he added.

Gentiloni said that Italy along with other countries sees value in the dialogue between Baghdad and Kurdistan.

“We along with the international community are hoping dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil resumes soon in order to resolve all the problems within the framework of a united, federal and democratic Iraq, and on the basis of Iraq’s 2005 constitution. We encourage all the political parties to hold talks and assist each other,” the letter added.

Gentiloni added that stability in liberated areas is a fundamental factor for the return of IDP families and prevention of the reemergence of terror.

Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Sunday that some of the 1,400 Italian troops now stationed in Iraq could be transferred to the Sahel region in West Africa - which includes Niger - after victories against Islamist militants in Iraq.

Italy is especially keen to help tackle the people-smuggling gangs because it has borne the brunt of seaborne illegal migration to Europe from Africa.