Zarif: Rouhani’s visit to Iraq proper opportunity for serious MoUs

Baghdad, March 9, IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday that President Hassan Rouhani’s upcoming visit to Baghdad is a suitable opportunity for concluding serious memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Tehran and Baghdad. Talking to reporters upon his arrival in Baghdad, the Iranian foreign minister added that during his trip to Baghdad he will make necessary coordination for President Rouhani’s visit to Iraq. “Rouhani’s trip to Baghdad is a historic visit and good opportunity for achieving serious memoranda of understanding between the two countries,” he said. Commenting on Rouhani’s schedule in Iraq, he said that he will discuss political and economic cooperation in various fields including transit, energy, and industry with the Iraqi officials. Referring to wide areas of cooperation between the two countries, he said, “We have good cooperation with Iran in different fields from health to security.” Asked about certain countries’ efforts to damage Tehran-Baghdad relations, Zarif said, “Iran and Iraq are the two neighboring states with numerous geographical, cultural and social commonalities.” No country has the right to interfere in the two countries' ties, he stressed. Rouhani will also travel to Iraq and Najaf to meet religious authorities, political officials, elites and heads of tribes in the two major Iraqi cities, Zarif said. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish