Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says fairness and justice can pave the way for a region marked by development, progress, peace and brotherhood.
President Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Bafel Talabani, head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), in Tehran on Wednesday. The Iranian president said the relationship between Iran and the Kurdistan Region is rooted in geographical proximity and shared historical, ethnic and cultural ties.
President Pezeshkian called for greater regional cooperation, saying countries share deep and longstanding connections. He said these common bonds should be used to advance cooperation, stability and development.
The president also said external efforts to create divisions and conflict in the region should be addressed through greater cooperation and dialogue. He said Iran was prepared to resolve issues with neighboring parties through mutual understanding and respect, while expecting all sides to observe good-neighborly principles and avoid excessive demands and improper conduct.
Iranians consider Muslims brothers and believe regional issues can be resolved through cooperation, dialogue, fairness and justice, President Pezeshkian said. He added that mutual respect could help create a region marked by peace, development, progress and solidarity.
He further called for increased travel, interaction and exchanges between Iran and the Kurdistan Region. He also highlighted the potential for cooperation in investment, science and academia, politics, the economy and culture.
The president emphasized closer ties between border provinces, saying trade, economic exchanges and other cooperation could contribute to development in border areas. He also referred to his administration’s approach of using the capabilities of different ethnic and religious communities based on merit and ability.
Talabani, for his part, described Iran as a key friend and partner of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region and said his party supports expanding bilateral cooperation between Iran and the Kurdistan Region.
Addressing border security, Talabani said his side was making every effort to preserve Iran’s security from the Kurdistan Region’s borders. He also referred to the security agreement between Iran and Iraq, saying efforts would continue under the agreement to move anti-Iran groups away from areas along Iran’s borders and strengthen security and stability.
Talabani added that he had brought an economic team to Iran to help address existing needs and increase trade and economic cooperation between the two sides.