Ali Shamkhani and Abdulkarim Sultan Sinjari (Karim Sinjari) sat on Sunday to discuss bilateral ties. Shamkhani highlighted the history of friendly relations with Iraqi Kurdistan and constructive role of Iran in helping the KRG; “our support for the KRG will continue as unchangeable policy even in the times of crisis,” Mr. Shamkhani told the meeting, extending praise to Masoud Barzani, the head of KRG, for his good offices in developing relations with Iran. “He is an indefatigable warrior and a smart politician,” he said.
Shamkhani believed that unity and solidarity of different Kurdish factions in a broader framework of Iraq would secure the Region’s political and economic structure; “recent years’ atrocities by Takfirist terrorism as a threat to all religious denominations and ethnic groups in Iraq well established the fact that a united Iraq would bring to its people security and stability,” he added, voicing grave concerns about anti-Revolutionary groups acting along Iran-Kurdistan borders; “border security is a redline for us and no threat, though small, will be tolerated; these groups are mercenaries of the intelligence services of regional and international players.”
Shamkhani believed that instability was the major hurdle on the way of economic development as the most necessary requirement; “Joint security and intelligence efforts would restore peace to the region, preparing grounds for more improved and wider economic relations and trade,” he told the meeting. “We believe success of Iraqi forces as well as KRG in warding off terrorism indicates potentials of the country in meeting security threats; overcoming challenges in politics and keeping the country united drawing upon constitutional structures would be a direct path to save Iraq from degeneration into petty smaller principalities,” he emphasized.
Mr. Sinjari for his part expressed his gratitude to Iran’s support to KRG in intelligence and other fields; “Iran has been an honest friend which could be trusted; continued friendship and good neighborliness is a priority for the KRG; we also share your view of the security along borders and will not allow few unruly groups destabilize the region,” he told Shamkhani. “Fighting Takfirist terrorism and uprooting its major causes are a priority for KRG; the Islamic Republic of Iran is a strategic partner for Iraq and has excellent role in coordination of indigenous capacities in intelligence to fight terrorism. We believe Iran should continue its role as major contributing player in Iraq in obliterating Takfirist terrorism,” he concluded.
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