MNA � Iranian head of Iran-Iraq joint chamber of commerce said that one-third of the country�s overall exports to Iraq has been set apart for the Kurdistan region.

Yahya Ale-Es�hagh, head of Iran-Iraq chamber of commerce, made the remarks in a Monday meeting on KRG�s independence referendum and its impact on economic and political relations with Iran.

�The Kurdish nation is our friends. We have deep-rooted, historical ties with Kurdish people and do not want any harm to come to them,� he stressed.

�We seek expansion of relations [with neighboring countries],� he said. �One third of our exports to Iraq has been set apart for the Kurdistan region, which amounted to $1 billion in the last six months.�

He went on to add, �however, the series of events that has recently occurred in the region holds more weight than economic interests, and we, as economic agents, operate under the policies of our country.�

�We do hope that our relations with the Iraqi Kurdistan region would improve,� he stressed.

Noting that the KRG�s decision to split from Iraq would have negative consequences for the Kurdish people, he voiced hope that the case would be referred to Iraq�s Constitution and be resolved within the framework of law.

On Monday, Iraq�s Kurdistan held a referendum on independence despite widespread calls for its cancellation. Iran has responded positively to the request of Iraq�s central government for lending support for preservation of the country�s territorial integrity, by taking measures such as closing its airspace to KRG.