Salehi: Security Should Meet Interests Of All Nations In Region

Tehran, July 31, IRNA -- Visiting Iraqi Minister of Tourism and antiquities Liwa Sumaysim conferred on Monday with Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on expansion of mutual relations as well as regional developments. Salehi highlighted cultural and religious common grounds between the two nations and underlined that the Iranian government and nation always backed the Iraqi nation and believe that stability and security should be in line with the interests of all nations in the region. Salehi expressed the hope that the agreements already signed by Iranian and Iraqi governments would be implemented, calling for removal of obstacles and upgrading contacts between the two governments. Iranian pilgrims are very enthusiastic to visit holy shrines in Iraq, Salehi said. Referring to regional developments, Salehi said restoration of security and stability in the region would help promote tourism industry. The Iraqi minister, for his part, described his negotiations with Iranian officials as very fruitful and expressed the hope to witness expansion of mutual cooperation mainly in tourism sector./end