Envoy:

Iran to Support Baghdad-Erbil Agreement

Rasa - Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi voiced Tehran's support for any possible agreement to be reached between Iraq and that country's Kurdistan region.

News ID: 432144

Date: 03 September 2017 - 23:19

RNA - "Tehran supports any deal between Baghdad and Erbil to settle inter-alia problems," Masjedi said.

He pointed to Iran's stances on holding referendum in Kirkuk, and said that Iran supports unity and consolidation in Iraq and respects Iraqi Constitution.

The Iranian ambassador said from Iran's point of view there are no differences between residents of Kirkuk with Basra, Erbil or Mosul and they are all brothers and dear for Iranians.

"Kurds are among best friends of Iran," Masjedi said, adding that Kurds in Iraq had always been among best friends of Iran.

Iraq's central government and the country's neighbors, including Iran and Turkey have opposed the Iraqi Kurdistan region plan to hold a referendum on statehood in September.

The international community and the US have also opposed the idea and many Kurdish people and parties believe that referendum will add to the region's problems.

In a relevant development on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi voiced Iran's support for talks between the central government of Iraq and that country's Kurdistan region officials.

"Tehran backs internal talks between Erbil and Baghdad in order to resolve issues," Qassemi said.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman underlined that the Iraqi leaders and people, through sympathy and unity, have gained valuable achievements in countering terrorism and liberating the occupied territories by the ISIL.

"Now they will be able to take important steps on the path to the stability and security needed for the construction and development of Iraq, with the spirit of mutual understanding and brotherhood, as well as constructive dialogue," he added.

Qassemi reiterated that as a brother and friend of Iraq, Iran seeks the best relations with all political, social, religious and ethnic bodies of Iraq through understanding the shared fates for the nations of the region while wishing for the ever-increasing success of the Iraqi government and nation.

“In the new phase, with all its experiences and capabilities, the Islamic Republic is willing to be the partner of the Iraqi government and the people, on the path to prosperity and construction,” he noted.

In relevant remarks on Sunday, Iraqi Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji appreciated Iran for helping the Baghdad government in the ongoing fight against the ISIL terrorist group.

"Iran had a great share in recent victories of the Iraqi government; Iraq is indebted to Iran’s unsparing assistance in this respect," al-Araji said in a meeting with Iranian Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari in Tehran.

The Iraqi interior minister reiterated the need for expanding relations with Iran, and said, “We are very thankful of Iran for its good ties with Iraq over the past years."

Al-Araji pointed to the establishment of committees to campaign human and drug trafficking, and said, "We believe such a committee should be set up soon so as to find solutions to the issues, including organized crimes."

In relevant remarks in late July, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani warned that plots against Iraq's territorial integrity will pave the ground for insecurity and instability in the country.

"The separatist approaches can prepare the ground for increased greed in enemies and stir insecurity and instability in the country in future," Shamkhani said in a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Irfan al-Hayali in Tehran.

He also underscored Iran's continued support for the Iraqi people and Armed Forces to establish full security, remove the danger of terrorist groups and reconstruct and develop the country's cities.

Al-Hayali, for his part, appreciated Iran's generous support for Iraq in the fight against terrorism, and said, "The Iraqi army confronts any aggression and occupation of the country's soil independently and relying on the experience that it has gained in recent years and will not allow the start of a new plot by the Takfiri terrorists and their foreign supporters who are after disintegration of Iraq."

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