Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said that Tehran has always been having a positive attitude towards expanding relations with countries of the region, adding that sustainable peace and stability in the region are atop the agenda of Iran’s foreign policy. RNA - Qassemi said there are consultations over the trips of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to some neighboring countries, and added that the foreign minister’s next destination will be Iraq after visiting India.
In the near future, he noted late on Thursday, Zarif will visit neighboring countries, a move in line with Iran's policy towards its neighbors, to expand all-out cooperation, deepen economic relations and political consultations; Iran's policy towards deepening cooperation with neighbors is “unchangeable”.
“Iran has been dealing with neighbors and regional countries in a positive and peaceful way, aiming to improve relations, as well as seeking a collective effort for peace, stability and sustainable security in the region, and further expansion of economic cooperation,” Qassemi highlighted.
Expressing that Iran's record in the field of regional affairs is very brilliant, he said Iran wants peace, stability and security in all regional countries, especially in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
“Regular and close communications with neighbors is Iran permanent policy, as it is interested to work for peace and convergence and ironing out differences along with certain regional countries,” the foreign ministry mouthpiece added.
Zarif said on Thursday that he would head a large economic delegation to India next week, stressing the active participation of the country’s private sector in foreign relations sector.
According to Fars News Agency, the top Iranian diplomat added that he would then visit Iraq a week after his India visit, saying the private sector may also accompany him to Baghdad.
Meanwhile, Iraqi FM Mohamed Ali Al-hakim said 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
Last Friday, 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.
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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