1st VP: Tehran-Baghdad Ties, Exemplary

Tehran, April 23, IRNA – Visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki conferred on Sunday with First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi on expansion of mutual relations and cooperation. In the meeting, Rahimi referred to amicable ties between the two countries, expressing hope that Maliki's visit to Iran would open a new chapter in bilateral ties and lead to further promotion of relations between both sides. Relations between Tehran and Baghdad are unique and durable, he said. Unity between both states help them thwart all plots hatched against the two nations, he said. Rahimi also called for implementation of agreements already inked by the two countries as soon as possible. Political and economic cooperation should be promoted between the two nations and concerned officials should help remove barriers to this end, he said. The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to implement development projects in Iraq and spares no effort to this effect, Rahimi said. The Iraqi premier, for his part, said political ties between both countries are satisfactory and the two should strive to promote relations in other areas such as culture, science and economy. Since the two sides' high ranking officials are determined to broaden bilateral ties it is expected that the current visit would bear fruitful results, he said. Iran and Iraq share many commonalities, he said and called for more cooperation in the fields of energy, oil and development projects, he said. “We hope to witness further expansion of relations and cooperation in all fields between Iran and Iraq,” said the Iraqi premier./end