Middle East Security Hinges on Regional Cooperation, Says Zarif
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says security and peace will be restored to the Middle East and the Arab Gulf regions only if there is cooperation among all regional countries.
Zarif made the comments upon his arrival in Kuwait City on Tuesday to take part in the three-day Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq (KICRI).
“The stability and progress of Iraq is very important for the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran has always stood by the Iraqi people,” he said.
He added that Iran has assisted the Iraqi government and nation in their fight against Daesh terrorists and Takfiri groups as well as the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.
He noted that Iran has fulfilled its commitments vis-à-vis the reconstruction of Iraq and said Tehran and Baghdad are cooperating with each other in the energy sector, including gas and electricity.
The top Iranian diplomat also expressed the full readiness of the country’s private sector to play a very active role in rebuilding the war-stricken Iraq.
KICRI kicked off in Kuwait City on Monday with the focus on the reconstruction of Iraq and vital issues concerned after the end of war. The meeting brings together several economic powers and regional and international organizations to discuss needed contributions to rebuilding Iraq after many years of war and conflict that ripped through various parts of the Arab country.
The meeting is co-chaired by Kuwait, Iraq, the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said his country needs up to 100 billion dollars to rebuild territories that have been torn apart by Daesh.
The Takfiri terrorists captured areas in the north and west of Iraq in 2014 and even managed to reach areas near the capital Baghdad. However, Iraq recaptured the cities, towns and villages one by one, and authorities declared after the liberation of Mosul last July that the country was effectively purged of militants.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Monday the Islamic Republic would continue to play a “supportive and constructive” role in Iraq’s reconstruction and economic development.
He said the Islamic Republic does not hesitate in supporting the Iraqi nation and government and as it stood by them in the fight against terrorism, it would continue to support them.
Iran, Kuwait FMs meet
On the sideline of the KICRI meeting, Zarif held a meeting with Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
The two top diplomats discussed ways to develop mutual relations and leading regional and international issues, particularly the latest developments in the Middle East.
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