Talabani, who is visiting Tehran at the head of a high-ranking delegation for talks with senior Iranian officials, met with Araqchi on Tuesday morning.
During the meeting, Araqchi highlighted Iran’s positive and constructive relations with the Iraqi government, people and Kurdistan Region, stressing the extensive capacities available in the border areas of the two countries.
He described the prospects for Iran–Iraq relations, particularly with the Kurdistan Region, as bright and promising.
Araqchi also emphasized Iran’s readiness to strengthen and expand ties with the Kurdistan Region, especially Sulaymaniyah, by focusing on increased economic and trade exchanges, enhanced security coordination along the common borders and efforts to combat terrorism.
Referring to terrorist activities along the shared borders and attempts by Iran’s adversaries to exploit the situation, Araqchi stressed the need to strengthen cooperation to safeguard border security in line with the bilateral security agreement.
He also warned that Iran’s Kurdish friends and all regional countries should remain vigilant against false-flag schemes designed to create divisions among neighboring states.
For his part, Talabani expressed pleasure at visiting Tehran and meeting with the Iranian foreign minister. He referred to the historic, fraternal and friendly ties among the peoples of Iran and Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and thanked Iran for its continued support for the Iraqi government and people.
Talabani described Iran as the Iraqi nation’s strongest and most consistent supporter, saying that the PUK takes pride in its relations and friendship with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He added that the PUK is committed to comprehensively strengthening cooperation and relations with Iran in various fields, particularly political, security, economic and trade affairs.
Talabani also stressed the need for greater synergy between Iran and Iraq to implement their security agreement and disarm terrorist groups threatening the security of the two countries.
He stated that Iraq and the Kurdistan Region would never allow Iraqi territory to become a haven for activities that could harm or threaten the security of regional countries, particularly the Islamic Republic of Iran.