Iran, Iraq urge expansion of all-out ties

Tehran, June 9, IRNA - Iran and Iraq on Sunday underscored the need for expansion of bilateral cooperation in different areas. The visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki met and conferred with First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi. As to attempts made by common enemies of the two countries to prevent expansion of Tehran-Baghdad relations, the two officials condemned conspiracies of the enemies against the two nations. Iran and Iraq, without paying attention to the enemies' efforts would bolster their all-out friendly ties, the two sides stressed. The two officials referred to Tehran-Baghdad relations as amicable and ancient, stressing that there are great potentials in different areas for further boost in bilateral ties. During the meeting, the Iranian first vice president reiterated that presence of a powerful Iraq would benefit all regional states. He added that preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as establishment of security and stability in that country has always been a priority of Iran's foreign policy in the past three decades. Davoudi expressed the hope that the war-torn Iraq would soon be reconstructed and developed through unity of all Iraqi groups and parties. Referring to Iran's valuable experiences in various fields, he voiced Tehran's readiness for exchange of experiences with the Iraqi nation. Oil production, construction of power plants, and establishment of border markets, as well as cooperation in the areas of education, transportation, and customs are among areas of bilateral cooperation, Davoudi added. For his part, the Iraqi premier, appreciated Iran's support and assistance to help establish security and stability in his country. He further voiced Baghdad's readiness to make use of Iran's valuable experiences in the areas of politics, economy, culture and defence. Al-Maliki praised unity of different Iraqi groups and parties aimed at solving the existing problems facing the oppressed Iraqi nation. He said the ground has been prepared for expansion of Iran-Iraq cooperation in the areas of energy, transportation and education. He also called for speedy materialization of the agreements already signed by the two countries. Al-Maliki arrived in Tehran on Saturday evening for a three-day visit. The premier, on his third visit to Tehran since taking office two years ago, was welcomed by First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi. Al-Maliki is scheduled to meet President Ahmadinejad on Sunday before leaving for Mashhad to pay pilgrimage to holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Imam of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Infallible Household. The prime minister, who lived in exile in Iran during the Saddam dictatorship, made his first official trip to Iran in September 2006. The first visit by an Iraqi premier since the US-led invasion was made by Maliki's predecessor Ibrahim al-Jaafari in July 2005. -End