BAGHDAD, July 20 (NNN-NINA) – Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, yesterday visited Iraq, to discuss bilateral ties and Iraq’s role in regional stability.
During his visit, Zarif and his delegation met with Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, and they discussed bilateral relations and issues of common interests, according to a statement by al-Kadhimi’s media office.
Al-Kadhimi highlighted Iraq’s desire to play “a balanced and positive role, in establishing peace and progress in the region,” while Zarif expressed Iran’s hope for “a new and positive stage of relations with Iraq.”
Zarif also met with Iraqi President, Barham Salih, where Salih confirmed Iraq’s keenness to contribute to stability and become “a centre for the common interests of regional countries,” according to a statement.
The Iranian minister confirmed his country’s readiness to expand cooperation and coordination, highlighting the promotion of relations between regional countries, to continue fighting terrorism, according to the presidency statement.
Zarif also met with Iraqi Parliament Speaker, Mohammed al-Halbousi during this one-day official visit to Baghdad.
Earlier in the day, Zarif was received by his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, at Baghdad airport, before they held a joint press conference in the Foreign Ministry building.
“We discussed bilateral relations and trade exchange, which has recently decreased due to health measures and the closure of border crossings, we emphasised seeking ways to continue commercial relations, as well as, religious visits, despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hussein told reporters.
Zarif will leave for Erbil, capital of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, in northern Iraq, to meet with Kurdish leaders.
Zarif’s visit to Baghdad came, one day before al-Kadhimi was scheduled to make his first foreign trip, since taking office in early May. The Iraqi prime minister will visit Saudi Arabia and Iran’s capital Tehran.– NNN-NINA
