President Rouhani: Iran determined to expand ties with Iraq

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a meeting with Iraqi President Barham Salih on Monday, reiterated that Tehran is determined to further increase its bilateral ties with Baghdad.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, in its entirety, is determined to further develop relations with Iraq,” President Rouhani said today in Baghdad.

Rouhani appreciated the hospitality of the Iraqi government towards the Iranian delegation and expressed hope that the visit would further develop relations between the two countries.

Stressing that the two countries have proved good neighborliness and brotherhood towards each other in different fields, he said, “Close Tehran-Baghdad relations is what our nations want.”

On the importance of deepening banking relations, he said, “Supporting the central banks of the two countries and trade with the use of national currencies will eliminate the need for foreign currencies.”

“Iran and Iraq can develop their cooperation and relations in different fields, such as energy, transportation, transit of goods, taking better advantage of Arvand River and linking the railways of the two countries to each other,” said the president.

He also referred to border markets and industrial parks at the border of the two countries, adding, “We are ready to transfer our experiences and technical and engineering services to Iraq”.

Iran has always favored a secure, independent and developed Iraq, said Rouhani, adding, “Fighting terrorist must continue until they are fully rooted out and Iran is ready to actively participate in Iraq’s reconstruction”.

“The message of this visit is that no bureaucracy and third country can affect the amicable, brotherly relations between Iran and Iraq,” said the president.

President Salih of Iraq also said, in this meeting, “We consider the Iranian nation as our own family and Iran as our second country.”

Stating that Iran has welcomed many Iraqis in critical points, and supported the country in fighting terrorists, he said, “Iran has had a very remarkable role in defeating Daesh”.

“We will never forget Iran’s brotherly backing of Iraqi people in hard days and we will stand by the people of Iran as well,” he continued.

The Iraqi president also welcomed development of relations between the two countries in different fields, including railways, tourism, the environment, industry, mining, and scientific and cultural cooperation.

Earlier on the day, President Rouhani said before leaving Tehran for Baghdad that his visit is intended to further deepen bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.

EA