2018/11/17 12:37
"We will not forget Iran's support for us in the days of struggle against Saddam's tyranny and the support of our dear neighbor Iran in the war against terrorism, which is a source of appreciation and respect for the Iraqis," President Barham Salih said.
"We want to get into a better situation than we are today, and this iswhat the two neighboring peoples and the region deserve," he told a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rowhani in Tehran.
"We have close ties with Iran and are keen to develop them, and we have directed the foreign and industrial ministries to activate their work to enhance cooperation and trade exchange between our two countries," Saleh said.
"He came from Baghdad with a clear message that his country is aware of the deep relations with Iran," he said. "Relations between the two countries are strong and well-established."
"After a military defeat in Iraq, this country is now in need of reconstruction and political stability. It is time to have a regional system in the region and we appreciate the Iranian role in this system," he said.
He pointed out that "Iraq will become the arena of consensus between the countries of the region and not the arena of conflict, and we must give priority to the interests of the region and its people to other interests."
He also stressed
that the formation of the free zones on the border and the linking of railways is important for the creation of trade exchange and for visitors, expressing the hope that this integration will include all the countries of the region.
Saleh said that "cooperation in the field of the environment is very important for the people of both countries and for future generations, as is the case for water and other common matters."
For his part, Iranian President Hassan Rowhani called for strengthening economic relations between Tehran and Baghdad, stressing that the two countries could increase the volume of economic and trade exchange between them to reach 20 billion dollars in the near future.
"The volume of economic and trade exchange between the two countries now reaches 12 billion dollars, and we can raise it to 20 billion dollars in the near future," Rowhani said.
"Today we discussed common issues and cooperation in oil, gas, oil products and oil exploration," Rowhani said.
"We also discussed the railway project between the two countries, especially in the south, and this project enables us to transport goods and passengers more easily."
alforatnews.com
