Iran, Iraq must seek strategic cooperation: Salehi

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said Iran and Iraq must set a strategic framework for cooperation in various areas.

Salehi made the remarks during a meeting with Ibrahim Al-Jaafari, the leader of the Iraqi Shiite coalition, in Tehran on Monday.

During the meeting, Salehi congratulated Jafari on the formation of the Iraqi government, saying that the two countries must utilize their untapped potential to increase cooperation.

He also expressed hope that Iraq will soon gain a status it deserves and prosper day by day.

Salehi also said the volume of trade between Tehran and Baghdad is currently $7 billion and the two countries should take measures to increase the volume of trade exchanges.

Jafari, a former Iraqi prime minister, said although Iraq enjoys great potential, it needs the support of the neighboring countries, particularly the Islamic Republic of Iran to resolve the problems facing the country.

He also thanked Iran for the position it adopted toward the formation of government in Iraq.

Jalili says Bahrain crisis is an ignominy for U.S.

Jafari also met with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili on Monday. In the meeting, Jalili stated that the crisis unfolding in Bahrain is an ignominy for the United States.

He criticized the U.S. for adopting a double standard approach toward the issues, saying Washington’s support for the crackdown on the Bahraini protesters is a clear evidence of its deceitful policies.

Jalili also warned the Arab dictators that “if they rely on the United States instead of listening to the voice of their people, they will not have a better fate than (former Egyptian president) Hosni Mubarak and (former Tunisian president Zine El Abidine) Ben Ali.”

On Monday, Jalili also held separate talks with Head of the Iraqi National Congress Ahmed Abdel Hadi Chalabi and Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who are accompanying Jafari in his visit to Tehran.

In addition, Jafari met with Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on Monday.

Source: Tehran Times.
Link: http://www.tehrantimes.com/Index_view.asp?code=238960.