Iran willing to improve economic ties with Kurdistan

Iran's Consul General in the Northern Iraqi city of Erbil Abdul-Azim Hosseini underlined Tehran's willingness to further boost and bolster economic ties and cooperation with the Iraqi Kurdistan region.Speaking in an interview with the Kurdish Globe, the Iranian consul general in the Kurdistan region said Iran will further develop its economic ties with the Iraqi Kurdistan. Globe: Do you think the US troops will leave Iraq, or is it still doubtful? Hosseini: The issue of the US troop withdrawal from Iraq has been resolved and the troops must pull out, because if they don't, their settlement will cause more problems and insurgency will increase against them. Many armed groups have announced their willingness to face the US troops if they decide to stay in the country. The US existence in Iraq poses a threat to Iran. Globe: Based on the information, Kurdistan Region and the US signed an agreement which allows the US troops to establish military bases in the Region. Do you have a comment? Hosseini: No, and we hope that Kurdistan Region will evade such an agreement. During his last visit to Baghdad, President Massoud Barzani emphasized that there is no accord between the Kurdistan Region and the US regarding their stay in the Region, and there will not be one. Globe: The commander of the Iranian forces has stated that the Iraqi and Iranian military coordination will deepen against their enemies. Which enemy he was referring to? Hosseini: Iran and Iraq enjoy positive relationships. The US and its allies do not want those positive ties to last. Globe: The Party for Free Life in Kurdistan, PJAK, says it has come up with an agreement with Iran to stop the bombardment of the Kurdistan Region borders. Is this true? Hosseini: We do not sign deals with any organization for that purpose. We have agreed with Baghdad to protect our security, and to not allow any foreign force to exploit Iraqi soil for their specific purposes. Globe: Do you think the US withdrawal will help in improving the economic ties between KRG and Iran? Hosseini: Yes it's a key factor. We have come to an agreement with President Barzani to further develop the commercial ties between Kurdistan and Iran. For the time being, around 100 Iranian companies are working in the Region, including oil companies. The US withdrawal from Iraq will help develop the economic coordination between the two sides, even in the oil sector. Globe: What is the trade exchange volume between Kurdistan Region and Iran for this year? Hosseini: The trade exchange volume between Kurdistan Region and Iran was $6 billion last year, $4 billion of the total volume is in the Region. The same amount has been recorded for this year, maybe it will increase further.