PM Barzani Welcomes New Italian Consul General to Kurdistan Region
Prime Minister Barzani and Italian Consul General Sansone discussed ongoing efforts to form the new Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet, along with broader developments in Iraq and the wider region.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — In a move signaling the continued deepening of international diplomatic engagement, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday welcomed Tommaso Sansone, the newly appointed Consul General of Italy to the Kurdistan Region.
The meeting, held in Erbil, underlined mutual commitments to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation across various sectors.
According to an official statement released by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Prime Minister Barzani extended his congratulations to Consul General Sansone on assuming his new role and expressed the full support of the KRG for the Italian diplomat’s mission.
The newly appointed Italian Consul General responded by reaffirming Italy’s intention to expand relations with the Kurdistan Region. "The new Italian Consul General reiterated his country’s readiness to further develop bilateral relations in various fields," the statement read.
The statement noted that bilateral cooperation would encompass a range of fields, from economic and cultural exchange to infrastructure development and education.
The meeting also served as an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on the current political and security landscape. Discussions touched upon the ongoing efforts to form the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government—a key domestic political development that could reshape internal governance dynamics.
Moreover, Prime Minister Barzani and Consul General Sansone reviewed the broader situation in Iraq and the wider Middle East, acknowledging the regional complexities and the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement to ensure stability and progress.
Italy has maintained a long-standing presence in the Kurdistan Region and has consistently supported Erbil through economic, cultural, and humanitarian initiatives. The appointment of Sansone comes at a time when the Kurdistan Region continues to assert its role as a stable and constructive actor in a volatile region, and when international partnerships remain essential for the KRG's development agenda.
The meeting marked a reaffirmation of mutual goodwill and a shared vision for deepening ties between Italy and the Kurdistan Region, laying a renewed foundation for collaborative initiatives in the months and years ahead.
