Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, met with Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on Monday to discuss enhancing relations between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Iran. The meeting, held in Erbil, focused on economic cooperation, border security, and regional stability.

During the discussions, both sides underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in key sectors, particularly in the economy. They also exchanged views on implementing the security agreement between Iraq and Iran aimed at protecting border stability, with the Kurdistan Region playing a key role in the process.

President Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to being a stabilizing force in the region, emphasizing that it would not be a source of threat or instability to its neighboring countries. He also highlighted the significance of maintaining strong relations with Iran based on principles of good neighborliness and mutual interests.

Following the meeting, President Barzani and Deputy Foreign Minister Takht-Ravanchi held a joint press conference to elaborate on their discussions.

Barzani Emphasizes Stability and Economic Cooperation

President Barzani expressed his gratitude for Iran’s longstanding support and emphasized the Kurdistan Region’s dedication to fostering balanced relations with neighboring countries. “We reaffirm the importance of our historical relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, which are based on the principles of good neighborliness and shared interests,” he stated.

He further stressed that strong Iraq-Iran relations are crucial for regional stability. “We in the Kurdistan Region believe that strong and balanced relations between Iraq and Iran are essential for enhancing stability in the region,” he added. “We will continue working to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including security, trade, economy, and culture.”

Regarding security concerns, Barzani assured that the Kurdistan Region would never become a source of instability for Iran. He also noted that efforts were being made to boost economic relations with Iran, reinforcing mechanisms to ensure border security.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Highlights Mutual Interests

In his remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Takht-Ravanchi expressed his satisfaction with the discussions and emphasized the importance of Iran’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. “I am very pleased to be in the Kurdistan Region today. Yesterday, I was in Baghdad for productive discussions with Iraqi officials on various topics concerning both nations, and today in Erbil, we had fruitful exchanges with Kurdistan Regional Government officials,” he said.

He highlighted areas of shared interest, including culture, religion, language, and history, which he believes contribute to stronger ties between the two sides. He also emphasized the economic dimension of their cooperation, particularly in tourism and knowledge exchange.

On security matters, Takht-Ravanchi reiterated that Iran considers the security of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region as integral to its own. “Iraq’s security is Iran’s security, and the Kurdistan Region’s security is also our security,” he stated, calling for continued collaboration to address any security concerns.

The meeting marks a step toward reinforcing cooperation between Iran and the Kurdistan Region, particularly in economic and security sectors. Both sides expressed optimism that ongoing dialogues would lead to deeper partnerships and regional stability.