Iranian President Pezeshkian to visit Al-Sulaymaniyah and Erbil, carrying “important messages”
Shafaq News / Iranian PresidentMasoud Pezeshkian is set to visit Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region(KRI), on Thursday, before proceeding to Al-Sulaymaniyah to meet with officialsfrom the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), as reported by the Iranian Consulin Al-Sulaymaniyah, Mohammad Mahmoudian.
At a press conference, Mahmoudianexplained, “President Pezeshkian, who arrived in Baghdad today at the head of ahigh-level delegation, met with senior Iraqi officials.”
“The visit aims to enhance bilateralrelations between Iran and neighboring countries, especially the KRI.”
The Iranian Consul noted,"After the delegation's meetings with Iraqi officials and the signing ofseveral memorandums of understanding, they will head to the Kurdistan Region,where President Pezeshkian will meet with top Regional officials."
“Pezeshkian will begin his visit toErbil on Thursday morning before moving to Al-Sulaymaniyah in the afternoon tohold meetings with PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani and other government andparty officials.”
In this context, the Consuldescribed the KRI as “comprising two main centers, Al-Sulaymaniyah and Erbil,”stating that “the President's visit to both cities aims to strengthenhistorical, cultural, and economic ties between the two sides.”
He concluded, “The President's visitcarries important messages for all concerned parties,” emphasizing, "Gapsand differences do not affect our relations and friendship." As stated bythe President, "Relations between Iran and the Kurdistan Region are good;we seek to further enhance them."
Pezeshkian is heading to the Iranianembassy to attend two meetings: one with Iranian traders and another with theIranian community residing in Iraq. In the evening, he will be a guest at adinner hosted by the State Administration Coalition, which includes most of thepolitical blocs represented in the Iraqi Parliament.
On Thursday, Pezeshkian will travelto Najaf, Karbala, and then Basra in southern Iraq before heading to Erbil.
Earlier today, the Iranian Presidentmet with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, President Abdul LatifJamal Rashid, Acting Speaker of the Parliament Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, and head ofIraq's Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan.
Notably, Pezeshkian arrived inBaghdad on Wednesday, marking his first foreign visit since becoming Presidentof the Islamic Republic of Iran, in response to an official invitation fromPrime Minister Al-Sudani.
