Tehran Pledges to Develop All-Out Bilateral Ties with Baghdad

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in a meeting with Secretary General of al-Nujaba Movement Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi, reassured that Tehran is determined to expand bilateral relations with Baghdad in all areas, specially in security and economic areas.

News ID: 443028

Date: 16 January 2019 - 09:51

RNA - Zarif and al-Kaabi met in Baghdad late on Monday and exchanged views on the regional issues and developments.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed the latest developments of Iraq and some regional issues related to security areas.

Zarif and al-Kaabi also expressed satisfaction with strong relations between Iran and Iraq.

The Iraqi politician also touched upon some points on the political issues between the two countries.

Besides, he announced that al-Nujaba Movement is ready for economic cooperation with Iran.

Iranian foreign minister, stressing the full support of Iran for country, government, and the volition of the nation of Iran, pointed to the attempts of Tehran for developing bilateral relations with Baghdad in all areas.

Iranian Ambassador Iraj Masjedi and the diplomatic delegation accompanying the Iranian foreign minister were also present in the meeting which was held at the residence of Zarif in Baghdad.

The Iranian diplomatic chief arrived in Iraqi capital city of Baghdad on Sunday in the evening at the head of a large politico-economic delegation.

Addressing media upon arriving in Baghdad, Zarif said that he is slated to take part in 3 trade meetings in different cities of the Arab country.

He added that he would attend three trade meetings between the economic agents of Iranian and Iraqi private sectors in cities of Baghdad, Karbala and Sulaymaniyah.

Elsewhere, the Iranian foreign minister commended Iraq's positive stance on the promotion of ties with Iran, saying the two countries have managed to foil US bids to sabotage mutual relations.

"After [achieving] victory against the ISIL, some countries, including the US, have created certain problems in the way of the two countries' cooperation, but fortunately, they were defused thanks to the wisdom of the two countries' officials," the top diplomat highlighted.

The Iranian diplomatic chief praised the Iraqi government's positive stance on unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States against the Iranian nation and noted that he plans to hold talks with senior officials of the Arab country about ways to further boost cooperation.

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.

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.

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