Rome, 26.02.09 - Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday 26 February 2009 in Rome. The President discussed a number of issues with the Italian Premier including relations between Iraq and Italy as well as bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and Italy. Prime Minister Berlusconi welcomed President Barzani and his accompanying delegation and hailed the security and stability in the Kurdistan Region as achievements. He said, "We follow your relationships with others in the region with interest, especially with Turkey and we hope there is even more progress in these relations." President Barzani thanked Prime Minister Berlusconi for making himself available for this meeting even though his sister had passed away earlier in the day and passed his condolences. The President talked about the improvements in relations between the Kurdistan Region and regional countries in the Arab world and with Turkey. The two also reviewed the economic situation in Iraq. Their discussion also touched on business and investment opportunities in Iraq and particularly in the Kurdistan Region. The Italian Prime Minister praised the role and leadership of President Barzani in Iraq and said "when I talk to other world leaders about Iraq, I sense that they all commend your role in Iraq." This is the second meeting between President Barzani and Prime Minister Berlusconi. The two last met in November 2005 in Rome. |
