Iraqi PM Underlines Friendly Ties between Tehran, Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki stressed the friendly and brotherly ties between Tehran and Baghdad, and called for the further development of bilateral relations and mutual cooperation.

“The Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran as two Muslim countries and with rich cultural and historical background have friendly and brotherly relationships,” Maliki said in a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on Sunday.

He also said that Iraq and Iran are enjoying good and friendly relations in political, parliamentary, economic and cultural areas.

Referring to numerous commonalities for further expansion of relations between two countries, he said that enhancement of regional and international cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad is of prime importance for Iraq.

Larijani, for his part, said that the presence of a stable Iraq in neighborhood of Iran will help to tranquility and peace in the region.

“Two Muslim and brother neighborly countries of Iran and Iraq should continue their constructive role in resolving the regional crises and issues,” he said while expressing his satisfaction about Iran-Iraq relations.

Larijani emphasized boosting cooperation on regional and international issues between Iran and Iraq.

Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, during the 2003 US invasion of the Muslim country.

Both sides are working on a series of plans to take wide strides in the expansion of their ties, in economic fields in particular.