RNA - Amir Abdollahian offered his congratulations to al-Ghabban, who formerly served as Iraqi interior minister, on the opening of the Iraqi parliament and formation of the new government in the Arab country, stressing the need to further expand bilateral cooperation between Iran and Iraq in various fields, especially in the parliamentary area.
He added that Tehran and Baghdad's relations remain solid and strategic.
"We consider Iraq's security as the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the region, while we consider the US interventionist policies in the region to be in contradiction with stability and security [in the region]," the special assistant to the speaker of the Iranian parliament for international affairs added.
He pointed out that the Iraqi people and leaders acted with power and wisdom in fighting terrorism and preserving the independence and territorial integrity of the country.
Mohammad al-Ghabban, for his part, expressed his satisfaction with the strong and brotherly relations between the two countries of Iran and Iraq. He also expressed his appreciation for Iran’s support for Iraq.
The Iraqi lawmaker said that the Iraqi government and parliament are advancing on the path to development, stability and security of the country and the region.
The former Iraqi interior minister went on to welcome the exchange of visits by Iranian and Iraqi parliamentary delegations as an opportunity to take advantage of each other's potentials, adding, "We spare no effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation as well as parliamentary cooperation in the new term of Iraqi parliament."
Also in the meeting, the two sides discussed and exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments as well as bilateral issues in the political arena. They also attached great importance to regional cooperation between the two countries.
In a related front, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is slated to visit Iraqi capital city of Baghdad today, at the head of a high-ranking big politico-economic delegation.
Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said that his country is enjoying friendly and close ties with Tehran, adding that Baghdad is focused on its commonalities with neighboring countries, including Iran.
Abdul-Mahdi highlighted the close and amicable relations with Iran, saying his government believes in focusing on commonalities in its interactions with neighbors.
He made the remark in response to a question about Iran and Iraq’s relations during his term in office in his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
“In our engagement with neighbors, our emphasis is on working together on commonalities, and through this way, we can gradually resolve disputes with confidence and goodwill,” he added.
Elsewhere, he stressed that all developments happening on shared borders with Syria, as well as ISIL activities, are under his government’s constant watch, adding that Iraq is in contact with Syria, Turkey and the international coalition in this regard.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Al-hakim said on last Wednesday that Zarif would make an official visit to Baghdad in January.
Speaking to a gathering of journalists, Iraq's foreign minister said that his country is "not obliged" to abide by sanctions imposed by the US against Iran and would be pursuing options to continue trade.
He added that the sanctions against Iran were 'unilateral, not international' and could be bypassed
On December 28, Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi, in a meeting with former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, voiced Tehran’s readiness to expand bilateral ties with the Arab neighbor in all areas, asserting that the Islamic Republic will continue helping Iraq’s reconstruction.
Bilateral cooperation and the regional development were other topics discussed between al-Abadi and Masjedi.
In the meantime, Masjedi expressed Iran's support for Iraq during the reconstruction era.
“Iran is ready for cooperation with Iraq in all fields,” the Iranian diplomat reassured.
On December 26, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian announced his country's preparedness to participate in projects to reconstruct Iraq after the devastating war launched by the US and its allies against the country.
According to Fars News Agancy, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to participate in reconstruction of Iraq, in particular, in infrastructural projects, Ardakanian told reporters upon arrival in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad on Wednesday.
Meantime, Iraqi Electricity Minister Luay al-Khateeb called for the development of relations with Iran, saying that Iraq is interested in cooperation with all countries, in particular, Iran.
He referred to the growing population in Iraq, and noted that Baghdad is thirsty for energy as a pre-condition to its development.
In relevant remarks earlier this month, Iraqi Minister of Construction and Housing Bangen Rekani had voiced his country's interest in Iranian firms' partnership in that country's reconstruction and development projects.
"My country welcomes the presence and participation of Iranian companies for reconstruction of different regions in Iraq," Rekani said in a meeting with Hassan Danayeefar, an advisor to Iranian first vice-president for economic relations with Iraq.
During the meeting, the two sides touched on the latest status of bilateral relations and topics of mutual interest, including ways to arrange for the payments of Iranian companies.
Danayeefar, for his part, said that the Iranian firms are ready to cooperate in the reconstruction process of Iraq which is damaged by the war on ISIL terrorists.
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