Rouhani Ends Three-Day Visit To Iraq

BAGHDAD (NINA) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wrapped up a three-day visit to Iraq at the head of a high-level political and economic delegation. Rouhani began his visit last Monday with a visit to the two holy mosques in Baghdad (Khadhimiayah) before heading to al-Salam Palace to be officially received by President Barham Salih, followed by a press conference in which Barham Salih stressed that "the Iranian president's visit comes to emphasize the importance of the relationship between our two countries, in history, social relations and security and political interests, these relations are in the interest of the two countries and the region in general. The president stressed that Iraq is lucky with its Islamic side and its Arab extension, perhaps that Iraq will be a gateway to the region's reunification, noting that the visit of the Iranian president is important and there are mutually agreed contexts that serve the two friendly peoples and regional stability. Added "The region requires more cooperation in order to counter the emergence of terrorism again in our country and the region, saying that Baghdad is a forum to achieve common interests first and foremost to counter extremist ideology and create a system of economic interests. Barham Saleh praised the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in supporting Iraq during its war against terrorism, stressing that the victory achieved was a major but incomplete victory to eradicate the deviant terrorist ideology and extremism as it requires more regional cooperation. For his part, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed his thanks to the Iraqi government and people for the warm welcome and hospitality, stressing that the talks with President Barham Salih were good. Pointing that "Iraq has an important role in the region and can play a bigger role in achieving stability and security, and we want to be with the Iraqis united and we will stay with them, not against others, but we want to be ground to bring others and we care about Iraq's stability and democracy. " "We are exerting our efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries and strengthen common interests." He said, added "There are broad areas of cooperation between them in the fields of economy, trade, energy, traffic, roads and water resources," After that, Rouhani met Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and both chaired the joint talks which began in Baghdad this evening in the presence of ministers and officials from the two delegations. He also discussed cooperation in the field of combating terrorism, enhancing security and stability efforts and discussing cooperation in economic and trade fields, agriculture, reconstruction, investment, health, transport, industrial zones and border crossings. " Rouhani discussed with Parliament Speaker Mohamed Halbousi the promotion and development of bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries at various levels, especially in the fields of politics and economy. Then, Rouhani's meetings began to diversify between the political meetings with political leaders to clerics and tribal elders and media, in which he clarified the Iranian view of the relationship with Iraq and its strengthening to serve the two countries and the two neighboring peoples. He concluded his visit on Wednesday with a meeting with the religious authorities in Najaf, Ali al-Sistani, who welcomed any move to strengthen Iraq's relations with its neighbors according to the interests of the two parties and on the basis of respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs. Sistani referred to the fateful war waged by the Iraqi people to defeat Daesh organization, Al-Sistani recalled the great sacrifices made by the heroic Iraqis in defeating this terrorist organization and removing its danger from the whole region, and noting the role of friends in achieving this. He also pointed to the most important challenges facing Iraq at this stage, namely combating corruption, improving public services and limiting the arms within the hands of the state and its security apparatuses. He also expressed his hope that the Iraqi government will make acceptable progress in these areas. Sistani stressed the need for regional and international policies in this sensitive region to be balanced and moderate, to spare their peoples more tragedies and damage./ End