Zebari Thanks Iran for Assisting Iraq in War on Terrorism

Iraqi Finance Minister HoshyarZebari, in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif in Tehran, appreciated Iran for supporting his government and nation in their fight against terrorism and extremism, according to FNA.

Zebari expressed satisfaction in the broadening of the relations between Tehran and Baghdad, and hoped for further mutual cooperation in the future.

The Iraqi finance minister also congratulated the Iranian nation over the nuclear agreement with the world powers, and said the agreement with the Group 5+1 was logical, useful and good for both the Iranian nation and the region.

Zarif, for his part, said that Tehran and Baghdad that enjoy a cordial relationship are necessitated to make use of the existing capacities in line with the two sides’ interests.

He called for boosting trade exchanges between Iran and Iraq, and asked for the removal of all obstacles standing in the way of Iranian contractors in Iraq.

In relevant remarks last month, Zarif said the Islamic Republic supports the Iraqi government’s fight against ISIL terrorists who are a big threat to the stability of Iraq and the region.

In a meeting with Chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) Ammar Hakim in Tehran, the Iranian foreign minister said that his country seeks expansion of Tehran-Baghdad ties as one of its priorities and supports the Iraqi government’s campaign against the terrorist group.

For his part, Hakim said Iraq has taken effective and major steps in the fight against ISIL, adding that cooperation between the Iraqi army and popular forces has contributed to better security conditions in the country.

Iran, Iraq ink 3 MOUS

On the other hand,  Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayyebnia and his Iraqi counterpart HoshyarZebarion Sunday signed three agreements on customs cooperation, double taxation, and mutual investment.

“Iran and Iraq will expand customs cooperation while taking steps to do away with double taxation and encourage mutual investment in the two countries,” Tayebnia told reporters on the sidelines of the signing ceremony in Tehran.

Yesterday, the Iranian minister announced that Tehran and Baghdad planned “to promote our annual trade volume from its current $13 billion to $20 billion in near future to secure the interests of both neighboring countries”.

Zebari arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran Saturday evening, heading an economic delegation.

Earlier on Sunday, he met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif, where the two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral relations.

The value of trade exchanges between Iran and Iraq reached $12 billion by the end of 2014, according to Iranian officials.

R.S