The longstanding, comprehensive, and stable relations between Italy and Iraq date back to 1931, when the first Italian diplomatic mission was established in Baghdad under the leadership of Guglielmo Rolli. Following Iraq’s accession to the League of Nations in 1935, Baghdad also established its diplomatic representation in Rome, appointing Muzahim Al-Bajaji, who later became Iraq’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Today, diplomatic relations between the two countries are maintained through the Italian Embassy in Baghdad, the Consulate General in Erbil, and the Iraqi Embassy in Rome.
The Treaty of Friendship, Partnership, and Cooperation, signed between Italy and Iraq in 2007, forms the regulatory framework guiding bilateral cooperation in fields such as economy, security, culture, education, science, technology, healthcare, legal, judicial, and administrative sectors.
Italy has actively supported and trained Iraqi armed forces and security personnel for years within the framework of the International Coalition against ISIS and through the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), which it led from May 2022 to May 2023.
Economically, Iraq is a significant trade partner for Italy, serving as both a vital energy supplier and a market for Italian-made products, with special emphasis on the metallurgy, electrical, and electronics sectors, as well as services provided by Italian civil engineering, Industrial, oil and gas companies.
In the cultural sector, there are currently 23 active Italian archaeological missions in Iraq, involving over 10 Italian universities and research institutions working to preserve and promote Iraq’s cultural heritage.
The official visits of Prime Minister Meloni to Baghdad and Erbil in December 2022, and the official visit of Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid to Rome, Bologna, and Milan in June 2023, reaffirmed the commitment of high-level officials in both countries to strengthen bilateral relations.