ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Nechirvan Barzani, the prime minister of the KRG, has met on Sunday in Tehran with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council who is also a chancellor to the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader.
Barzani is on a two-day visit to Iran, and is accompanied by his Deputy Qubad Talabani, Fuad Hussein, the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office of the Kurdistan Region, and KRG Spokesperson Safin Dizayee.
Tehran wants the Iraqi people to be unified and believes that all parties must be committed to seeking solutions to problems within the Iraqi constitution, read a statement from the Iranian presidency.
Rouhani also stressed to Barzani that all the ethnic groups in Iraq, including the Kurds, should have legitimate rights under the constitution and countries have territorial integrity
The president emphasized that all efforts must be made to strengthen intimate relations between the two nations Iran and Iraq.
Stability and security are a prerequisite for development and prosperity and they should not be undermined by any pretext, Rouhani stressed.
Rouhani explained that the Kurdistan Region — "as an important part of the country" —has an important role in strengthening Iraq's stability and security.
The president added that Tehran wants Iran and Iraq to be more prosperous and more developed, and this is in the interest of all nations in the region.
The Iranian politician hinted at the readiness of Iranian investors to participate in the KRG’s development plans and encouraged Kurdish businessmen to increase their interaction in the Iranian market.
Rouhani also talked about the historical and rooted ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kurds of Iraq.
A KRG delegation headed by PM Nechirvan Barzani meets with Iran President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on January 21, 2018. Video: Iranian presidency
Barzani, according to the Iranian statement, stressed that the KRG believes that all the parties must be committed to the Iraqi constitution.
In the meeting with Rouhani Barzani thanked Iran for its support to the Kurdistan Region during the fight against ISIS, adding that the KRG has always been grateful to Iran.
The premier also echoed the need for enhanced economic cooperation with Iran and invited Iranian investors to participate in the KRG's long-term development plans.
Barzani added that Iran-Iraq borders should be borders of "friendship and development."
He assured the Iranian president that the KRG would not allow the manipulation of the borders by any side to pose possible threats to Iran, deeming it a ‘redline’ for Erbil, alike, according the Iranian statement.
Before meeting with Rouhani, Barzani met with Shamkhani, discussing the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region and the wider region.
In the meeting with Rouhani Barzani thanked Iran for its support to the Kurdistan Region during the fight against ISIS, adding that the KRG has always been grateful to Iran.
The premier also echoed the need for enhanced economic cooperation with Iran and invited Iranian investors to participate in the KRG's long-term development plans.
Barzani added that Iran-Iraq borders should be borders of "friendship and development."
He assured the Iranian president that the KRG would not allow the manipulation of the borders by any side to pose possible threats to Iran, deeming it a ‘redline’ for Erbil, alike, according the Iranian statement.
Before meeting with Rouhani, Barzani met with Shamkhani, discussing the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region and the wider region.
KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani meets with Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council who is also a chancellor to the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, in Tehran on January 21, 2018. Photo: IRNA
Given the new policies of Erbil and the focus on dialogue and cooperation with Baghdad, the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its capabilities to support resolving obstacles ahead and contributing to the success of this trend, Fars News Agency reported Shamkhani as saying.
Referring to the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum which Iran strongly opposed, Shamkhani said the process resulted in economic, political and security damages for the people of Kurdistan and neighboring countries.
Barzani reported on the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region, pointing out that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a supporter of the Kurdish people, according to Fars.
Barzani described Erbil-Tehran relations as "historic."
The Kurdistan Region is proud to be friends with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Barzani reportedly said, referring to the role Iran plays in the security of the Kurdistan Region and the people of Kurdistan during the fight against ISIS — especially in the early days.
Shamkhani hailed the victory over ISIS and the complete liberation of Iraq, viewing it as a boost for better future for an integrated Iraq.
Shamkhani in his meeting with Barzani added that some Iranian opposition groups —referring to Kurdish parties of Iran — use the Kurdistan Region to "assassinate our soldiers and citizens and return to the climatically dominated areas."
Given the new policies of Erbil and the focus on dialogue and cooperation with Baghdad, the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its capabilities to support resolving obstacles ahead and contributing to the success of this trend, Fars News Agency reported Shamkhani as saying.
Referring to the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum which Iran strongly opposed, Shamkhani said the process resulted in economic, political and security damages for the people of Kurdistan and neighboring countries.
Barzani reported on the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region, pointing out that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a supporter of the Kurdish people, according to Fars.
Barzani described Erbil-Tehran relations as "historic."
The Kurdistan Region is proud to be friends with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Barzani reportedly said, referring to the role Iran plays in the security of the Kurdistan Region and the people of Kurdistan during the fight against ISIS — especially in the early days.
Shamkhani hailed the victory over ISIS and the complete liberation of Iraq, viewing it as a boost for better future for an integrated Iraq.
Shamkhani in his meeting with Barzani added that some Iranian opposition groups —referring to Kurdish parties of Iran — use the Kurdistan Region to "assassinate our soldiers and citizens and return to the climatically dominated areas."
Last updated at 2:20 p.m.
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