“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always sided and will continue to side with the Iraqi government and nation on their path of fighting terrorism and boosting national unity and solidarity and safeguarding (Iraq’s) territorial integrity,” the president said Thursday in a meeting in Tehran with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

“The Iranian government and people are happy about the improvement of security and of stability in Iraq,” the president said, adding that Iran considers Iraq’s security to be in line with its own security and that of the region.

He also called for development of all-out ties between Tehran and Baghdad and said Iran is ready to use all its capacities and power to participate in reconstruction and development of Iraq.

The Iraqi premier, for his part, called terrorism a common threat for all countries and said the Iraqi government and people have managed to achieve great victories against terrorism through their unity and steadfastness.

He underlined the need for elevation of relations between regional states in order to resolve disputes and prevent the spread of terrorism.

“Disputes and conflicts in the region prepare the ground for others’ interference in the affairs of regional countries,” Abadi said.

He also stressed the need for expansion of bilateral ties between Iran and Iraq in all areas.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, the Iraqi premier arrived in Tehran on Wednesday evening after visiting Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The Russian diplomat’s remarks were made at a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al Jaafari.

Lavrov also said Russia is seeking to achieve the common objective of defeating international terrorism in both Syria and Iraq.

He pressed the need for continuing the track of negotiations to reach a political settlement for all disputes in the region.

The Iraqi foreign minister, for his part, asserted that Russia backed the Iraqi government in its fight against terrorism and extremist groups, asserting that Moscow has contributed to the achievements made by the Iraqi forces in their war against terror, MENA reported.

Jaafari also noted that all world countries have rejected the independence of Kurdistan Region, noting that such referendum is unconstitutional according to Article I of the Iraqi Constitution.