good news iran: Extensive Tehran-Baghdad economic interaction in interest of two nations, regional development: President Raisi

Speaking on Sunday in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that the two Iranian and Iraqi nations have broad and deep historical, cultural and religious commonalities, saying, “The relations between the two nations is beyond geographical level and neighbourliness, and no factor can damage the inseparable bond between the two nations”.

Stating that the cooperation capacity of the two countries is much higher than the current level, Ayatollah Raisi said, “Cooperation capacities between the two countries have been identified and agreed on, and now is the time to implement agreements and broad economic interaction in the interests of the two nations and regional development”.

The President also stressed the need to further develop trade and economic relations between the two countries, the implementation of existing agreements between Tehran and Baghdad, including the connection of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway, and called for the implementation of Iraq’s obligations regarding Iran’s financial demands.

Ayatollah Raisi continued by emphasizing the continuation of cooperation between the two countries in strategic areas, referring to the Baghdad Summit and said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the role of Iraq in the region and we seek to institutionalize security in region revolving around Iran, Iraq and neighbouring countries without intervention of foreign forces”.

The President emphasized, “Tehran supports intra-regional dialogue without foreign interference”.

Dr. Raisi stated, “The presence of foreign forces, especially Americans, in any of the countries in the region is detrimental to security and stability in the region and the implementation of the Iraqi parliament’s law on expelling American forces from the country can be useful in this regard”.

Ayatollah Raisi also stressed the need to decisively face and examine the political and legal aspects of the assassination of martyrs Haj Qasem Soleimani and Abu Muhandis in international and legal forums.

Referring to the Iraqi government’s considerations regarding the coronavirus epidemic, the President said, “We hope that the travel of Imam Hussein’s (AS) pilgrims will be facilitated as much as possible”.

In this meeting, the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi stressed that deep historical, civilisational and religious ties have established special relations in Iran-Iraq relations and said, “Baghdad is determined to increase its level of cooperation in various fields, especially economic and trade, and we will seriously pursue the development of economic relations in all sectors”.

Welcoming Ayatollah Raisi’s remarks at the inauguration ceremony, the Iraqi Prime Minister said, “Your remarks about interaction with the neighbours and countries in the region were very good and accurate, and this view was welcomed by the heads of regional governments”.

Al-Kadhimi also praised the special role of Haj Qasem Soleimani in the fight against terrorism and said, “We are ready to strengthen the activities of a joint team that follows the legal issue of this assassination domestically and internationally”.

The Iraqi Prime Minister also presented a report on the success of the Baghdad Summit and called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to support Iraq’s role in the region.

Referring to the need to implement his country’s obligations towards Iran, he stressed the need to quickly pursue the full implementation of these obligations.

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