ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani will be awarded the Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Italy - the country's highest honor for promoting Italy's international relations - in a ceremony at the Italian Consulate General in Erbil, spokesperson of the presidency said on Wednesday, underlining significant contributions the Kurdish leader has made in diplomacy and upholding human rights values.
Dilshad Shahab told Rudaw that, in addition to prioritizing mutual friendship with the Italians, the award is bestowed to Barzani for his role in “promoting coexistence, supporting the active role of women, and pursuing the sound policies that His Excellency has adhered to throughout his political career."
Niccolo Fontana, the Italian Ambassador to Iraq will present the award to the Kurdish president on behalf of Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
In an interview with Rudaw later on Wednesday, Fontana described Barzani as “a very good friend and a trusted ally of Italy,” while praising him as a “trusted mediator” in complex dossiers.
‘A historical achievement for the Kurds’
The honor system consists of five main classes, ranked by order of importance: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, and Knight Grand Officer.
Barzani is set to receive the highest rank of the order.
Soran Yasin, head of the Kurdish Institute in the Italian capital of Rome, said bestowing the Knight Grand Officer is “a historical achievement for the Kurdish people, and it will further raise the Kurdistan Region's profile on the global stage."
He added that President Barzani had been considered for the award “after the strong coordination that developed during the war against [the Islamic State] ISIS, as ISIS posed a major threat to European countries and Italy."
Yasin noted that despite the small number of Kurds living in Italy, this type of diplomatic recognition ensures that the Kurdish issue will no longer be marginalized in Rome’s decision-making centers.
How are recipients selected?
The history of this award dates back to 1947, when it was originally named the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity. It was primarily designed to honor individuals who played a significant role in rebuilding the European nation following World War II. However, in 2011, the law was amended under Giorgio Napolitano, the 11th President of Italy, which changed both its name and its core objective.
Consequently, the focus of the award shifted from post-war reconstruction and enhancing Italy's national prestige abroad to promoting friendly relations and international cooperation. This honor is now bestowed by a presidential decree.
First, the Italian foreign minister proposes a list of candidates. Next, a five-member council will shortlist the individuals who are believed to be more qualified for the honor. Finally, the accepted names will be submitted to the Italian president for approval.
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