During the news conference in the Iranian capital today, Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki reiterated the necessity for increasing exchange of visits between the two countries’ businessmen and trade officials in a bid to further consolidate Iran-Iraq economic ties.
The Iranian first vice-president reiterated that enhancement of bilateral ties tops the agenda of both Tehran and Baghdad, and said “the agreements between Tehran and Baghdad have provided proper opportunities for Iranian businessmen to play a bigger role in the gas and housing industries and other sectors in Iraq”.
The Iraqi prime minister, pointed to his meeting with the Iranian first vice-president, and said, “We agreed to have extensive activities and we also agreed on establishing different ways for conducting (joint) economic activities.”
Al-Maliki noted that the two sides have agreed to increase reciprocal visits by the two states' officials.
The Iraqi prime minister arrived in Tehran at the head of a high-ranking delegation on Wednesday and was warmly welcomed by the Iranian first vice-president.
During his stay, the Iraqi prime minister will exchange views over the latest regional and international developments with senior Iranian officials and discuss ways to strengthen the bilateral ties between Tehran and Baghdad in all spheres.
The Iraqi premier is due to hold separate meetings with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during his Iran visit.
