Iran (IMNA) – Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Bafel Talabani, head of Iraq’s Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), in Tehran on Wednesday.
The Iranian president said relations between Iran and the Kurdistan Region are rooted in geographical proximity as well as shared historical, ethnic and cultural ties.
He called for stronger regional cooperation, noting that countries in the region have deep and longstanding connections. According to Pezeshkian, these common bonds should be used to promote cooperation, stability and development.
He also said external efforts to create divisions and conflicts in the region should be countered through greater cooperation and dialogue. Pezeshkian stated that Iran was ready to resolve issues with neighboring parties through mutual understanding and respect, while expecting all sides to uphold good-neighborly principles and refrain from excessive demands and improper conduct.
Iranians regard Muslims as brothers, Pezeshkian said, adding that regional issues can be addressed through cooperation, dialogue, fairness and justice. He said mutual respect could contribute to building a region characterized by peace, development, progress and solidarity.
The president also called for greater travel, interaction and exchanges between Iran and the Kurdistan Region, highlighting opportunities for cooperation in investment, science and academia, politics, the economy and culture.
Pezeshkian stressed the importance of closer relations between border provinces, saying that trade, economic exchanges and other forms of cooperation could support development in border areas. He also referred to his administration’s policy of utilizing 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.
On border security, Talabani said his side was making every effort to protect Iran’s security from the Kurdistan Region’s borders. Referring to the security agreement between Iran and Iraq, he said efforts would continue under the agreement to move anti-Iran groups away from areas along Iran’s borders and strengthen security and stability.
Talabani also said he had brought an economic team to Iran to help address existing needs and expand trade and economic cooperation between the two sides.
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