PUK Leader meets Iranian Foreign Minister in Tehran

Bafel Talabani, head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), who has traveled to Tehran at the head of a high-ranking delegation for consultations with senior Iranian officials, met and held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi before noon on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Araghchi referred to the very good and constructive relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the government and people of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, stressing the extensive potential existing in the border areas of the two countries. He described the outlook for relations between Iran and Iraq, particularly with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, as bright and promising.

Araghchi also stressed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s readiness to strengthen and expand relations with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, particularly Sulaymaniyah, with a focus on expanding economic and trade exchanges, enhancing security coordination along the shared borders, and combating terrorism.

Referring to some terrorist activities along the shared borders and attempts by enemies to exploit the situation, Araghchi stressed the need to strengthen cooperation to safeguard the security of the shared borders in accordance with the bilateral security understanding, stressing: “Our Kurdish friends and all countries of the region must remain vigilant against false-flag tactics designed to create divisions among neighbors.”

The PUK leader, for his part, expressed pleasure at visiting Tehran and meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, referring to the historic, brotherly and friendly relations between the peoples of Iran and Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and expressing appreciation for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s continued support for the Iraqi government and people.

Talabani described Iran as the strongest and longstanding supporter of the Iraqi people, adding: “We take pride in our relations and friendship with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and are committed to comprehensively strengthening cooperation and relations in various fields, particularly political, security, economic and trade affairs.”

Talabani also stressed the need for synergy between Iran and Iraq to implement the bilateral security agreement and disarm terrorist groups that undermine the security of the two countries, stressing: “Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will never allow the territory of this country to become a haven for harming or threatening the security of regional countries, particularly the Islamic Republic of Iran.”