President Rouhani: Regional Security Impossible without Iran, Iraq’s Stability
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the development and stability of Iran and Iraq, without which security would not prevail in the region, are interrelated.
Speaking at a meeting of high-ranking delegations of Iran and Iraq on Monday, Rouhani said, “Iran-Iraq relations have roots in history and have always been friendly and brotherly.”
Stating that the Iranian nation have been alongside the Iraqi nation in hard days, he said, “We consider Iraq’s stability and security as our own stability and security”
Security and development of the region is not possible without Iran and Iraq’s stability and development, the president’s official website quoted him as saying.
“At a time when the United States is seeking to pressurize the Iranian nation with its unjust, illegal sanctions in violation of the regulations of the (UN) Security Council, we need to develop and deepen our relations to stand against them,” he said.
“Fortunately, today all Iranian and Iraqi officials have a firm resolve to develop comprehensive Tehran-Baghdad relations.”
He added that Iran and Iraq “can cement ties and cooperation in different fields such as science culture, biotechnology, technology, nanotechnology, and academic relations.”
On transit and transportation, the Iranian president said, “Linking Iraq’s railway to Iraq, which is connected to the Central and Eastern Asian countries because of the North-South Corridor, can have a great effect on trade and economic relations in the region.”
Iran is ready to increase energy exports to Iraq, Rouhani underlined, adding, “The authorities of the two countries should make efforts to accelerate the implementation of agreements in environment and (fighting) dust (pollution).”
He also stressed the need for promotion of banking relations and using national currencies of the two countries in trade relations, as well as restoration of the Arvand Rud River.
As regards the fight against terrorism, Rouhani said, “The Iranian nation and government have been alongside the people of Iraq in their fight against terrorism, and will stand by the Iraqi government and nation during the reconstruction process.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, for his part, said, “We have always had common interests and today, we feel that relations between Iran and Iraq are becoming stronger day by day.”
“We are determined to deepen ties with Iran in all fields of mutual interest," the Iraqi premier said, adding, "We should turn the region into the stage of cooperation and friendship among friendly, neighboring countries.”
He also went on to appreciate the Iranian nation and government’s support of the Iraqi nation in their fight against terrorism.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, Rouhani arrived in Baghdad on Monday at the official invitation of the Iraqi government. It is Rouhani’s first official visit to Iraq during his tenure.
