Iraq president appreciates Iranian experts work in northern Iraq

Baghdad, Dec 30, IRNA - Iraqi President Jalal Talebani appreciated Iranian engineers and experts work on building a tunnel in Iraqi Kurdestan.

In a meeting with Iran Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Kazemi Qomi here
Monday evening, President Talebani expressed optimism over country's
development and growing trend of rebuilding his country and called for
Iran's private sector more active participation in Iraq construction
and infra-structure projects.

The president said he had visited a tunnel building project in
Soleymanieh, Iraqi Kurdestan, and is satisfied with Iranian engineers
work there.

A 5.2 kilometer-long tunnel was constructed in two years by Iranian
companies in Iraq Kurdestan and will be commissioned soon.

The Azmer Tunnel connects two parts of Soleymanieh city.

Referring to the recent economic crisis in the west, President
Talebani said, "Activation of economic cooperation between Iraq and
Iran is now necessary."
Concerning the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to
Iran as well as other high ranking delegations reciprocal visits,
Talebani evaluated these visits important and said Iraq needs such
relations.

Appreciating Iran's help and cooperation during recent years, the
Iraqi president said, "Iraq expects continuation of such help and
cooperation."
The ambassador, for his part, presented a report on bilateral
cooperation and expressed Iran's readiness for more active
participation in Iraq economic and development plans.


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