Ambassador Marotti: “Italy plans to upgrade its diplomatic presence in Erbil to a full consulate general by the end of this year.”

President Masoud Barzani welcomed Italy’s new ambassador to Iraq Mr Massimo Marotti in his office in Salahaddin today to discuss bilateral relations and explore ways to further strengthen ties

Both sides focused on the ongoing political challenges facing Iraq, relations between Italy and the Kurdistan Region, and the crisis in Syria.

Ambassador Marotti said Italy attaches great importance to its relations with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and wants to further strengthen cooperation in education, culture, and trade. He added that the Italians currently working in Kurdistan are very satisfied with the cooperation they receive at both public and private levels in Kurdistan and act as ambassadors of Kurdistan in Italy.

The Italian ambassador also said that Italy plans to upgrade its diplomatic presence in Erbil to a full consulate general by the end of this year.

For his part, President Barzani said that the KRG is equally keen to expand bilateral relations with Italy and it will provide all kinds of assistance for Italian businesses and investors interested in working in Kurdistan.