The Ambassador of Italy to Iraq, Niccol\u00f2 Fontana, has concluded an institutional mission to the northern part of the country, comprising several stages in Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah and Halabja, aimed at strengthening political dialogue and bilateral cooperation with the local authorities. During the visit, the Ambassador met with the Governor of Kirkuk, Mohammed Samaan Agha; the Vice President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Commander of the Peshmerga Forces, Sheikh Jaffar; the Governor of Sulaymaniyah, Haval Abubakir; and the Governor of Halabja, Nuxsha Nasih. The meetings provided an opportunity to explore prospects for cooperation in strategic sectors such as archaeology, water resources management, energy, tourism, agriculture, as well as economic, cultural and academic cooperation, with particular attention to opportunities for Italian companies and to the strengthening of ties between the two countries. The mission concluded with the participation of Ambassador Fontana and Consul General Sansone in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Halabja Martyrs\u2019 Monument, in tribute to the victims of the massacre of 16 March 1988, as a sign of the shared commitment to preserving memory and promoting the values of peace and reconciliation.<\/p>\n