Iraq resolved to further grow ties with Iran: Salih

Baghdad, March 11, IRNA – Baghdad will spare no efforts to remove the barriers on the way of broadening cooperation with Iran, Iraqi President Barham Salih said Monday. Speaking at the joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, President Salih emphasized that the efforts will also focuse on broadening ties with Iran in trade, tourism and pilgrimage. President Rouhani who is visiting Iraq upon an official invitation from the country's president and prime minister arrived in Baghdad on Monday morning. Some senior Iranian officials and ministers are accompanying him in the three-day visit to Iraq. Salih also appreciated Iran's role in helping Iraq to fight terrorism. More than a year ago, Iraq announced that the terrorist group of Daesh (ISIS) was thoroughly wiped out of the country. The Iraqi president also noted that some frameworks for bilateral cooperation have been agreed upon and the details will be announced later today. Common security is one of the elements that requires high level of cooperation among Tehran, Baghdad and other countries in the region, the Iraqi president said. The Iranian President, at the press conference, described talks with his Iraqi counterpart as productive. He also emphasized that strengthening ties between Baghdad and Tehran is in the interests of both, and Tehran will not let anything interrupts them. 'We are seeking to establish an alliance between Iran and Iraq, but not against any other country,' Rouhani said, 'Rather, we call on other parties to join the alliance' . Iran stood beside Iraq in fight against terrorism, he said, describing the contribution as a responsibility for Tehran. 'Security, stability and democratic trend in Iraq is of great importance to Iran, for the they will boost the security and stability in the region,' he said. Iran's president arrived in Baghdad earlier today. His visit to Iraq is taking place upon the official invitation of his counterpart President Barham Salih and also Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi. During his three-day stay in Iraq, President Rouhani is also to confer with the senior Iraqi cleric, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani. Exploring avenues for promoting bilateral relations in the political, economic and cultural fields are among the main objectives of the Iranian president’s official visit to Iraq. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif travelled to Iraq on Saturday to do the necessary arrangements for President Rouhani’s official visit to the neighboring state.