Service: Policy- Foreign Policy: Nechirvan Barezani the Prime Minister of KRG and Mohammad Javad Zarif the foreign minister of Iran, exchanged ideas about the most recent changes of bilateral relations, Iraq and the Region problems. On the report of Iranian Students News Agency of Iran (ISNA) the prime minister of Iran, mentioning the progressive procedure of economic cooperation between Iran and Iraq and said: the government of Iran will, in order to get aside the barriers, take all necessary measures to improve and deepen the relations. Mentioning authorities’ assessment of commercial and economic sections in government and of private area, he hoped the preparation to progress obtained agreement has been simplified by Iraqi’s authorities.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, besides supporting the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, stated through the correlation and willpower of statesmen the preparation to release areas occupied by ISIS will be provided for central government. In this meeting Nechirvan Barezani the PM of KRG of Kurdistan of Iraq stated: we are happy, as the result of Foreign Minister’s attempt and fulfilment of Barjam (comprehensive Program) agreement, the grounds to open economic relations between Iran and Iraq will be laid. He expressed his congratulations on these attempts and stated: all Iraqi groups with strong will are going to confront extremist and terrorism in Iraq.

Following Mohammad javad Zarif’s travel to Kurdistan region of Iraq Diplomacy Irani had an interview with Dr. Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran of which main points as followed:

Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad believes both sides have special place in their own foreign policy for each other and the foreign minister’s travel to the region at this time denotes Iran’s nation’s support from Iraq’s and Kurdistan’s people. KRG of Iraq has turn out to be the most important confrontation center with ISIS and Pishmerga forces more than any other groups have fought them. Thus to support Kurdistan’s people and military forces against this increasingly international threat is so much important to the neighboring country and I.R. of Iran as a regional power was the first country which in this direction gave precious help to KR.

About the outcomes of this travel he said I as an international researcher believe that despite of this suppress Kurds are a fact in the region. Nowadays Kurds concern is no longer an interior matter of Iraq but a regional and international. Iran is known as the origin of foreign Kurds. In spite of respecting the national benefits and the principle of foreign policy of Iran I have to say that Iran has not taken any advantages of this in spite of all these powers and effective equipment.  

Thus Dr. Zarif’s travel to Iraq at this time represents the relation of both sides as sturdy and inseparable. Definitely Kurds know Iran as their motherland wherever they are and appreciate the relation to be developed. Dr. Ahmad believes that KRG sees Shia as a strategic ally, nevertheless the occurred differences are between the Region and Iraq governments but the Shia. In the direction of solving these problems, I.R. of Iran regarding having ties with both sides can play a prominent role to converge them. Thus the important point about this is concerning establishing balance on the relations with Shia, Kurds and Sunni of Iraq in foreign policy of Tehran in Iraq.

In a response to last question, Dr. Ahmad believes that the matter of Kurdistan independency from Iraq is in the field of the right of self-determination. The policies of KRG also are according to keep peace and stability in the KRG and region. Our collaboration with Tehran is not limited to a period of time. So the short-time crises cannot create basic changes in our policy.            

Following Mohammad javad Zarif’s recent travel, International Peace Studies Centre held a talk with Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran in order to study the different aspects of this travel of which details as followed:

In Mr. Dabbagh’s view this travel is so important especially when Mr. Zarif was welcomed by Masoud Barzani and Nechirvan Barzani.

In his opinion this travel states the importance of security and tranquility of KR of Iraq in foreign policy of I.R. of Iran and this collaboration more than anything is for confronting ISIS, Dabbagh continued this travel was done after ISIS’s attack to KR and after being appointed of the president, the chairman of parliament and the prime minister, nevertheless thereby I.R. of Iran intends to support this country to confront with ISIS by doing so the new government of Iraq. The representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran regarding Kurdish parties’ attitudes towards Mr. Zarif’s travel said all parties of KR had a positive opinion and view about this.

Mr. Dabagh said undoubtedly the presence of Mr. Zarif in the field of Iraq policy and his support of the way concerning solving current problems among Iraqi, Kurdish, Sunni and Shia groups will be a positive role. As Mr. Zarif said: we support to solve all problems existing in the agreements and contracts between KRG of Iraq and federal government. Dabbagh added that this travel would lead to more cooperation between Tehran and KR.

In a response to a question he replied that their political positions rely on the current political situations but demands. Since the current situation happened in Iraq results from the mismanagement and if these reasons change so will the outcome. Kurds are obedient to the constitute and following the agreements between Iraq and Kurds and Iraq groups, which Foreign Minister of Iran emphasized, cause all problems to be solved and to found a new, common and pervasive Iraq is the best guarantee for all groups.