Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Italy, the highest rank within the prestigious Italian state order, in recognition of his leadership and longstanding efforts to strengthen relations between Italy, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region.
Italian Ambassador to Iraq Niccolò Fontana presented the insignia on behalf of Italian President Sergio Mattarella during a ceremony in Erbil.
Ambassador Fontana said the honor recognized President Barzani’s pragmatic leadership and consistent commitment to dialogue and peace through decades of institutional engagement. He also highlighted the President’s support for expanding Italy’s diplomatic, political, and security presence in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Italian Consul General in Erbil Tommaso Sansone said the award reflected President Barzani’s distinguished political leadership and the close relationship developed between the Kurdistan Region and Italy’s diplomatic missions.
President Barzani expressed his appreciation to President Mattarella and the Italian government and people.
“This is a tribute to the historic and longstanding relationship between Italy and Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” President Barzani said. “It is also recognition of all those who, over the past years, have worked sincerely to build and strengthen this bilateral relationship.”
The Order of the Star of Italy recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Italy’s international relations, cooperation, and prestige abroad. Recipients are nominated by the Italian foreign minister, reviewed by an honors council, and approved by the Italian president.
Relations between Italy and the Kurdistan Region have expanded significantly over the past decade. Italy opened its consulate in Erbil in 2015, with President Barzani, then prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, attending the opening ceremony alongside then-President of the Italian Senate Pietro Grasso. In June 2024, Italy formally upgraded the diplomatic mission to a Consulate General.
Italy has also played an important role in the international campaign against ISIS. As a leading member of the Global Coalition, Italy has provided military training and assistance to Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces.
Italy was a founding and leading participant in the Kurdistan Training Coordination Center, which has helped train tens of thousands of Peshmerga and other security personnel. Italy continues to support the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs’ reform program, including efforts to unify forces under a professional and modern command structure.
President Barzani said Italy’s military support and training had made a significant contribution to defeating terrorism and protecting the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
The award follows President Barzani’s official visit to Italy in May 2026, during which he met with President Mattarella, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. The meetings focused on political relations, regional stability, economic cooperation, and continued security coordination.
“It is with pride that I receive this insignia today,” President Barzani said. “I thank all those who have worked to develop this relationship that exists today between the Kurdistan Region and Italy.”
