Maliki: Iraq is determined to broaden ties with Iran

Tehran, Jan 4, IRNA - Visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki conferred on Sunday with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on expansion of mutual relations as well as regional development.

At the meeting, Mottaki highlighted the good trend of friendly ties
between Iran and Iraq based on new mechanism.

"We hope to witness further expansion of ties and cooperation with the
implementation of agreements signed by high ranking officials of the
two sides," Mottaki said.

There are various grounds for expansion of economic cooperation such
as laying oil pipelines, constructing rail roads, banking cooperation,
borders, regional cooperation, and energy which should be considered,
he said.

The Iraqi premier, for his part, voiced satisfaction with the current
level of cooperation in various sectors and said the Iraqi officials
are determined to broaden ties with countries in the region and the
Islamic Republic of Iran in particular.

"We will remove the hurdles preventing the expansion of cooperation
between the two countries," he said.

On recent ratification by the Iraqi government on dealing with the
activities of the terrorist groups, he said "We will implement the
bill and make more coordination and provide facilities to Iranian
pilgrims who visit Iraq.

On regional issues, he said, "We seek to benefit from Iran's
invaluable experience in the campaign against drug trafficking to help
bring peace and security to the entire region.

Active presence of Iranian contractors in Iraq who spare no efforts to
implement the country's projects are of great importance, he said.