TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Thursday morning, where he was officially welcomed by Nechirvan Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Region.

Pezeshkian’s visit to the Kurdistan Region was the first of its kind by an Iranian president.

The Iranian president stated a three-day visit to Iraq on Wednesday. The president was accompanied by the chief of the presidential office, foreign minister, economy minister, transport and housing minister, central banker and the deputy chief of the presidential office for political affairs.

After meeting with Barzani, Pezeshkian told reporters that Iran the Kurdistan Region should help each other to lay groundwork for cooperation.

Barzani also told reporters that in his meeting with Pezeshkian it was insisted that the Kurdistan Region should never be used as a place for attacks on Iran by separatist militant groups.

"The Kurdistan region will never pose a threat to Iran and neighboring countries," a statement from Barzani's office said, adding that Erbil "respects the security deal signed between Iraq and Iran".

Iran's ties with Iraqi Kurdistan have improved in recent months, aided by efforts to neutralize Iranian militant groups, which have long operated in the region.

Barzani said there are certain problems that “we should resolve as a team” and the Kurdistan Region is ready to promote the level of ties with Iran.

Regional president also said, “We have many things in common in terms of history, culture and language.”

The regional president also hailed the visit by Pezshkian to the Kurdistan Region, calling it a “historic day”.

During the meeting with Pezeshkian also attended by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, the Kurdish president pointed to "Kurdistan's desire to develop relations and expand cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all areas".

Kurdistan’s religious leaders and local officials also met with the Iranian president during his stay in the autonomous region.

Pezeshkian also attended the tomb of Jalal Talabani to pay tribute to the late Iraqi president.