Western neighbor; launch pad of Pezeshkian’s diplomacy
Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s new president, concluded a three-day visit to the neighboring Iraq, during which he and Iraqi officials discussed further security and economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
On Wednesday in Baghdad, the first leg of his three-day visit, in a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, Pezeshkian announced the signing of 14 agreements to strengthen ties between Iran and Iraq. Pezeshkian also called for the full implementation of the security deal between Iran and Iraq to confront terrorists and enemies who have targeted the region’s stability and security.
The Iranian president also noted that they discussed the geopolitical conditions of the two countries.
“The two countries are the connecting point between Europe and Asia. The two sides discussed forming a committee of experts and strategic long-term plans to enhance cooperation.”
Sudani, for his part, described relations between Tehran and Baghdad as deep and longstanding, stating that the proximity of Iran and Iraq can enhance their relations.
Elimination of borders
During a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Abdul Latif Rashid, Pezeshkian urged investment of endeavor towards elimination of borders among Muslim countries in a move comparable to the one that led to formation of the European Union.
Pezeshkian’s first trip abroad since taking office in July came days after Iraq and US agreed on a plan to withdraw American soldiers from Iraq. Iran has repeatedly described the presence of the US troops in Iraq as a source of tension and insecurity in the region.
‘Historic’ visit to Kurdistan
Heading a high-ranking delegation, Pezeshkian arrived in the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on Thursday on the second day of his visit and was welcomed by the region’s President Nechirvan Barzani. During his meeting with Pezeshkian Barzani, the Iranian president stressed the need for steps to be taken to reach further agreements aimed at consolidating relations and achieving progress and development.
“It is essential to improve cooperation (in order to) prepare the necessary security ground for enhanced economic and commercial relations and interactions, especially in the border areas,” the Iranian president emphasized.
Barzani, for his part, said Kurdistan imported more than 50 percent of its required commodities from Iran, expressing hope that the two sides will accelerate the expansion of their interaction.
He hailed the “historical and important” visit by the Iranian president to the Kurdistan Region and said Erbil is keen to expand relations with Tehran.
Security pact
He emphasized that the Kurdistan Region is committed to a security pact between Iran and Iraq and will never allow any sides to use it as a threat against the Islamic Republic.
Pezeshkian also had a meeting with Masoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the former KRG president. It was the first official visit to Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region by an Iranian president since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Pezeshkian later visited the city of Sulaimaniyah in the region as well as Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.