Iraqi premier due in Iran for talks on expansion of mutual ties

Tehran, October 17, IRNA - Visiting Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani said on Saturday that the Iraqi Premier Nuri al-Maliki is to pay an official visit Iran to bolster political and economic relations and cooperation between the two states.

The Iraqi interior minister and his entourage are now visiting the Islamic Republic of Iran at the officials invitation of Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar.

After his meeting with the Iranian interior minister, Jawad al-Bolani, said the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq play a very significant role in regional developments as the two sides share common interests.

Iran and Iraq can help broaden mutual ties to strengthen security of the region, he said.

The two sides' interior ministers reviewed various issues including border cooperation, demarcation of borders, campaign against drug trafficking and terrorism as well as regional and international developments, said the Iraqi minister.

Providing Iranian pilgrims with more facilities was among other topics discussed by the two ministers, he said./end