Referring to Major General Qassem Soleimani’s critical role in fighting against Deash (ISIL or ISIS) during its invasion of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, Raisi said, “Hajj Qassem’s presence at the scene of Iraq’s battle with Daesh was as if one of Iranian towns had been invaded."
Emphasizing that the security and stability of the region should be created by the countries of the region, and referring to the malevolent presence of the US in the region, President Raisi said, “Countries that seek hegemony and have an arrogant temperament and self-exaltation have never taken effective steps in solving the insecurity in the region, but through sedition they have fueled existing problems.”
The Iranian President also stressed that the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq and are heartfelt and deep-rooted noting that suitable conditions have been provided for two countries to have stronger and wider relations and to cooperate in various sectors towards the direction of economic prosperity, based on historical and cultural commonalities, IRNA reported.
Congratulating Raisi on his election as Iranian President, Nechirvan Barzani said that the whole region was pleased with Raisi’s views at his inauguration ceremony and definitely welcome it.
Barzani also added that the Kurdistan Region as part of Iraq is determined to have a new chapter in strengthening economic, cultural and political relations with Iran.
According to Shafagh News, the Kurdistan Region’s Speaker of Parliament, Ms. Rewaz Fayeq, along with the accompanying delegation were also present at the meeting, which focused on the Kurdistan Region's and Iraq's ties with Iran. The events in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and Iran were also discussed, as well as peace and stability and areas of mutual collaboration.
The Kurdish delegation, led by President Barzani, also met with Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament.
Barzani arrived in Tehran yesterday with a delegation that included the director of the Region's Presidency office, the Ministers of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Culture and Youth, and Labor and Social Affairs.