TEHRAN (Iran News) –President Ebrahim Raisi says Iran and Iraq attach special significance to the promotion of peace and stability in the region, stressing that both states are firmly determined to fight the source of terrorism and regional insecurity.
The Iranian president made the remarks while speaking in a joint press conference with new Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who arrived in Tehran on Tuesday on his first visit at the head of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation.
“From the point of view of Iran and the Iraqi government, security, peace and stability in the region are very important and therefore, the fight against terrorist groups, organized crimes, drug trafficking and any [source of] insecurity that threatens the region is among [issues of] the agreements and common will of the two countries,” Raisi said.
He added that only the countries in the region should ensure regional security, stability and peace, stressing, “The presence of foreign forces in the region does not bring in security at all but it is a problem in addition to our problems.”
As the US presence in Afghanistan and Iraq has failed to promote security, it would also fail to result in any outcome in other parts of the region, the Iranian chief executive said, emphasizing, “American forces withdrawal from the region can greatly definitely contribute to the security of the region.”
Elsewhere in the presser, Raisi said ties between Tehran and Baghdad are rooted in the two nations’ beliefs and expressed hope the two sides would further expand cultural, political, social and security cooperation.
“The presence of the Iraqi prime minister in the Islamic Republic of Iran is a turning point in the relations between the two countries and these negotiations can definitely be a major step towards improving ties,” he added.
The Iranian president noted that economic, trade, monetary and banking issues as well as the export of electricity and gas are also on the agenda of the talks between the two sides’ delegations.
Iran and Iraq have common stance on mutual, regional and international relations which would definitely help the two countries promote ties at regional and international levels, Raeisi pointed out.
The Iraqi prime minister said his country would not allow terrorist groups to use its soil to harm any country, particularly Iran.
Sudani added that the inseparable security of Iran and Iraq is complementary to each other and is a part of the regional security.
He said the Iraqi government is ready to establish a working mechanism with Iran to prevent any tension as it believes that dialogue and interaction are the best solution to the woes.
The prime minister hailed Iran’s advisory presence in Iraq and its role in the battle against Daesh terrorists and stressed the importance of strengthening joint cooperation to fight terrorism and illicit drugs.
Al Sudani stressed that Iraq is trying to pay Iran’s arrears through special mechanisms.
From Iraq’s view, interaction is the best way to avoid problems, he said emphasizing the Iraqi government’s commitment to cooperate with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all common fields.
The Iraqi people and government do not forget Iran’s support against ISIS, he said.
He emphasized the importance of joint cooperation in fighting against terrorism and illegal drugs.
He noted that the two sides will discuss transferring crude.
Earlier on Tuesday and during the meeting after the welcoming ceremony, Raisi said that the Islamic Republic of Iran always supports the united nation and strong government in Iraq.
Emphasizing the determination of Iran to expand cooperation and improve the level of relations with Iraq in the economic, commercial, political, cultural, and security fields, he added that Iran seeks to develop exchanges with Iraq in various commercial and energy fields. “Holding regular meetings of the joint cooperation commission between the two countries can play an effective role in realizing this goal.”
“The relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq are privileged, and the strengthening and deepening of bilateral relations should lead to the expansion and improvement of the level of regional and international interactions in order to establish as much peace and stability in the region and the world as possible,” Raisi underlined.
For his part, Al-Sudani said that Iran has a privileged and excellent position in Iraq’s foreign policy, and the relations between the two countries are expanding in a favorable and satisfactory manner.
