Dr. Kader receives Minister Pinotti in Erbil

Today, Italian Defense Minister Pinotti, accompanied by Chief of Staff Gen. Claudio Graziano, Chief of Staff Adm. Valter Girardelli, Diplomatic Advisor Minister Nicoletta Bombardiere, and other officials, arrived in Erbil for a two-day visit.
At Erbil International Airport, she was welcomed by Minister of the Interior and Peshmerga Karim Sinjari, Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs Minister Falah Mustafa, High Representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Italy Dr. Rezan Kader, and the Italian Consul in Erbil Dr. Alessandra Di Pippo.
Minister Pinotti immediately met with Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, who invited the delegation to a welcome dinner.
Minister Pinotti thanked the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Kurdish Peshmerga for their commitment to the fight against Daesh and for their fundamental role in stabilizing the region. He also reaffirmed the Italian government's commitment and support for the country, noting that Italy has the largest contingent in Iraq after the United States: this is the country's most significant commitment in the world at this time. Italy is participating in Operation Prima Parthica against Daesh with over 800 troops, engaged in training (in Erbil and Baghdad) and air operations (270 troops from Kuwait). A further 450 troops will be deployed within the next few months to protect the Mosul Dam.
Prime Minister Barzani thanked Minister Pinotti for his visit and Italy's continued military and humanitarian support. He again thanked Prime Minister Renzi for being the first Prime Minister to visit the country since the Daesh attack in June 2014.
Finally, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and their mutual desire to strengthen them at all levels; the liberation of Mosul and the need to coordinate the operation among the various actors involved; relations with the central government in Baghdad and the KRG's intention to reach a peaceful agreement; maintenance and safety work on the Mosul Dam—carried out by the Italian company Trevi; and the possible increase in Italian civilian and military personnel in the autonomous region.