Iraqi Kurdistan PM : Iran is Iraq’s key partner

Prime Minister of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government Barham Salih said that Iran is an important neighboring country of Iraq and also a key regional power, adding that Iraq’ Kurdistan Regional Government has expansion of ties with Iran on its agenda. Salih made the remarks in an interview with the Arabic-language satellite television channel al-Arabiya on Thursday. Referring to the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, he said that both countries paid heavy prices for the devastating war. Salih emphasized that Iran-Iraq relations should be based on common economic interests and also on mutual respect. “New Iraq should interact with its neighbors in a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere while securing its national unity,” he added.