In a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi in Baghdad on Wednesday, the Iraqi premier expressed satisfaction with the Iranian official’s trip and called for the development of defense relations between the two countries.
“Considering the special situation in the region and its surroundings, improving bilateral relations, particularly in the defense sector can help peace and stability in the region,” the prime minister added.
Vahidi, for his part, congratulated the Iraqi government and people for their common efforts to restore security in the country after the withdrawal of the US troops.
“Since the Islamic Republic of Iran at the moment holds the rotating presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement and Iraq is the rotating head of the Arab League, they can jointly play an important role in reducing regional conflicts and crises.”
Vahidi is also scheduled to meet with the Iraqi Defense Minister Sadun al-Dulaymi in the first ever visit of an Iranian defense minister to Iraq since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Iran and Iraq are trying to further develop ties following the fall of Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein.
press tv/281
