Jahangiri: Iran stands by Iraqi government, nation

EghtesadOnline: First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said on Tuesday that Iran as always stands by the Iraqi government and nation in all affairs such as dealing with security threats, fight against terrorist groups and restoration of security and stability in the region.

News ID: ۷۴۲۲۹۵

21 June 2017

According to IRNA, Jahangiri made the remarks in a meeting with Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Sunday.

In the meeting, Jahangiri congratulated the Iraqi government and nation over the recent victories against Daesh (ISIS terrorist group) mainly in the city of Mosul.

These victories left remarkable impacts on the security of Iraq and the region and we hope these victories would lead to more solidarity and national resolve among all Iraqi political wings, he said.

Referring to the sensitive circumstances in the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East, he said presence of the Iraqi delegation and talks with Iranian officials help prepare grounds for resolving regional disputes and also bring about development for Islamic countries, he said.

Current level of political, economic, cultural, security and military cooperation are at good level and both sides should spare no efforts to further broaden mutual relations, Jahangiri said.

Expansion of banking cooperation is among main hurdles which should be resolved to broaden economic cooperation between Iran and Iraq, he said.

There are various means to resolve banking problems such as taking advantage of national currency in trade exchanges which requires both sides coordination and convergence, he said.

Construction of Shalamcheh-Basra railway will ease commuting between the two sides' passengers and shipment of goods, he said.

Expansion of economic, political and security cooperation between Iran and Iraq has reached a sensitive point which requires drafting a comprehensive document on commercial and economic cooperation, he said.

The document should examine all aspects and define responsibilities of all bodies in dealing with it, he said.

Tehran proposes removal of visas for both sides' nationals to ease exchange of visits mainly during religious festivities, he said.

Iran and Iraq to set up joint center for dust suppression as Iranian residents in border regions have serious problems in this regard, al-Abadi said.

Iraqi premier, for his part, strongly condemned Daesh terrorist attacks on Tehran and said such measures have no borders and their terrorist attacks might occur at any place and the problems should be resolved through common cooperation.

Takfiri terrorists have endangered the lives of the Iraqi people for many years, but fortunately they are at the end of game, he said.

Iran and Iraq are fighting in the same trench and should spare no efforts to broaden all-out economic cooperation to bring developments, he said.

Iraq is ready to bolster economic, commercial, cultural and religious cooperation with Iran, al-Abadi said.

Current volume of trade exchange between the two countries hit $13 billion and both sides should help increase the figure, he said.

Grounds for expansion of cooperation in many fields such as oil, gas, electricity, desertification and fight against dust are well prepared and also in other areas such as fight against goods smugglings, drug trafficking and organized crimes the two sides can broaden cooperation, he said.