Stating that Iran has no obstacle to develop economic cooperation and trade relations with the Kurdistan Region, the President clarified, "We consider the long borders between the two sides as a valuable opportunity to improve the level of relations, but security is the basis and necessary basis for any kind of cooperation and expansion of interactions".
Speaking in a meeting with Mr Nechervan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi stated that Kurdistan's relations with Iran are based on historical, national, religious and cultural ties, and expressed hope that this trip will be a turning point in improving the level of political, security, economic and cultural relations.
Stating that a strong Iraq and the strengthening of unity and cohesion within the framework of a united Iraq have always been emphasised by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the President said, "Iran's support to the Kurds, whether during the Saddam regime, the Halabja massacre, or the ISIS attack, proves that Iran is a great support and friend in the difficult days of Iraq and Kurdistan".
Dr Raisi pointed out that the government and people of Iran regard the security of Iraq as their security, and added, "We are confident in the goodwill and friendship of our Iraqi and Kurdish brothers, but considering the hatred of the enemies, including the Zionist regime, against the Iranian nation, we expect the government of Iraq and the Kurdistan region to absolutely prevent any abuse of the soil of this region against Iran by the elements of the Zionist enemy and anti-revolutionary elements".
While appreciating the actions of the government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in implementing the provisions of the security agreement, the President stressed the full and strict implementation of this agreement and stated, "Complete disarmament and the absence of anti-revolutionary elements in Iraqi territory is a necessity".
Dr Raisi also emphasised, "Iran sees no obstacle for the development of economic cooperation and trade relations with the Kurdistan Region. We consider the long borders between the two sides as a valuable opportunity to improve the level of relations, but security is the essential foundation of any kind of cooperation and expansion of interactions".
Emphasising that we should not allow elements of enemies and ill-wishers to disrupt the friendly, close relations of the parties, the President stated, "The officials' view should go beyond the malice of outsiders, focusing towards designing and implementing solutions for the development of relations in the way of providing mutual benefits between Iran and Iraq in general and the Kurdistan Region in particular".
In this meeting, Nechervan Barzani, while expressing happiness for meeting with the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran again, stated that the religious, historical and cultural commonalities, during many years of neighbourliness, have created deep bonds between the two sides, thanking the Islamic Republic of Iran as a friend of hard times and a country that has always stood by Iraq and the Kurdistan region when problems arise.
Appreciating the role of Martyr Qasem Soleimani in the security of Kurdistan, the President of Kurdistan Region of Iraq emphasised, "The foundation of the new Iraq and today's relations between Iran and Iraq are the result of the auspicious cooperation between Iran and Iraq, and therefore Iran is not just a neighbour for us. If it were not for the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic, it would not be known what the fate of the Kurdish movement would be today. Respecting these collaborations and interactions is a red line that we will never cross".
Barzani stated that the borders of Iran and the Kurdistan Region were not closed even during the COVID-19 era, and said, "Our expectation from Iran is that it will continue to be by our side to solve the problems in Iraq and build a prosperous and advanced country. Our past relations are proud and our efforts are to build a brighter and better future than the past".
The President of the Kurdistan Region stated, "No common sense allows us to prefer relations with a regime that is in its worst position today over a powerful and friendly country".
The President of the Iraqi Kurdistan region also emphasised on the full implementation of the Iran-Iraq security agreement.