Iran, Iraq’s foreign ministers discuss Pres. Rouhani's upcoming visit to Baghdad

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Iraqi counterpart Mohamed Ali Alhakim held a phone conversation to discuss preparations for President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to Iraq later this month.

According to Tasnim news agency, during the phone call on Thursday night, the two sides also conferred on the bilateral ties.

Rouhani will travel to Iraq on March 11 for an official visit.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, the Iranian president will be visiting the Arab country at the official invitation of Baghdad.

It will be Rouhani’s first official visit to Iraq during his tenure.

The Iranian president’s visit would come against the backdrop of Tehran’s efforts to boost its foreign trade in the US sanctions era.

In December 2018, Chairman of Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce Yahya Ale-Eshaq said the central banks of Iran and Iraq were finalizing negotiations to begin trade in their own currencies.

Alhakim has made it clear that his country cannot cut off trade ties with Iran under the US sanctions.

ME