Cementing Tehran-Baghdad ties should boost: Rouhani
Iranian President stated that the cooperation potentials with Iraq are so much higher than the current level and the two countries have to attempt to implement the agreements made, including the dredging of Arvandrud, describing it beneficial to both nations.
Speaking with the President of Iraq Barham Salih on Wednesday evening in New York on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said: "Iraq is our friendly and brotherly neighbor and the process of developing relations between the two countries has accelerated after the recent meeting of the two countries' authorities".
Rouhani also mentioned the Iraqi government's good cooperation in hosting Iranian pilgrims, describing the resolve of banking relations between the two countries helpful for the development of economic relations, the official website of the President reported.
He also called on the Iraqi government to remove obstacles on the path of implementing agreements in different fields, including the Shalamcheh-Basra railway and building border industrial parks.
At the same meeting, President of Iraq said, "The historical and cultural bonds between the two countries are the most important support for the development of relations".
He also referred to regional issues, especially the Yemeni crisis, welcoming Rouhani's Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE) initiative.
On the sidelines of the summit, Hassan Rouhani has already held talks with the presidents of France and Switzerland, the chancellor of Germany and the prime ministers of Sweden, Britain, Spain, Japan, and Pakistan, and had a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
In his address to the UN General Assembly, the Iranian President also unveiled a regional peace plan known as 'Hope' while explaining the regional and international positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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