Iranian foreign minister in Iraq for talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has traveled to neighboring Iraq to hold talks with the Arab country’s top officials.

Zarif, who arrived in Iraqi capital city of Baghdad on Tuesday for a two-day visit, is set to meet a number of Iraq’s high-ranking officials including Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, and his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

Ways of boosting bilateral relations between Baghdad and Tehran would be on the agenda of talks while the two sides are also reportedly due to discuss the security and political situation in Iraq.

Upon his arrival in Iraq, Iranian foreign minister took part in a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart says that relations between Iran and Iraq are “very special” and both countries’ officials are taking every step to further strengthen those relations.

He pointed to common threats posed to the two neighboring countries like extremism, sectarianism and terrorism, especially the insecurity fomented in Iraq by Takfiri terrorist, adding that Tehran and Baghdad need to continue their consultation in order to keep up cooperation in confronting such threats.

The Iranian foreign minister stated that Iran and Iraq are planning to boost consular cooperation and consider travel facilities for their nationals.

“A memorandum of understanding for the cancelation of visa formalities between the two countries will be signed today,” he said.

The Iranian top diplomat added that the two sides will also discuss border issues during his visit to Iraq.