Jaafari for comprehensive cooperation with Iran
Iraq-Iran, Politics, 7/16/2005

The Iraqi prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari is today in Tehran in a visit which is his first held by an Iraqi leader for the neighboring state since decades. Iran's population is mostly Shi'a and has close connections to the southern part of the country.

Improving bilateral relations is a declared objective for both Baghdad and Tehran since the collapse of the regime of Saddam Hussein who launched a war with Iran between 1980- 1988 that claimed the life of one million persons.

Iraqi officials said that one of the main deals to be signed between the two sides during the visit which will last for three days is a deal to install a twin pipeline of 40 km length between the Iraqi oil Basra center and the Iranian Abadan port.

Jaafari said in Tehran today that "Iraq and Iran given their geographical determinism and neighborliness should tread a mutually beneficial path to safeguard their national interests." Following the welcoming ceremonies by the First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref, Jaafari told reporters that Iraq views its relations with Iran as among the inseparable ties with its neighbors," the official news agency IRNA reported.

"The Tehran-Baghdad relations are deep-rooted and based on common interests. Also the bilateral relations have been instrumental for boosting much interest for the two nations which have also been fraught with problems, Aref said, IRNA reported.

"The aggression instigated by Iraq on Iran is one token of such mishaps," Aref added also saying "Iraq is Iran's large neighbor in terms of both religion and geography."

"Of course the two nations' relations have been crisis-ridden in the past, but currently Iran supports the Iraqi people..We can compensate for the cold relations of the past by striving to forge friendly ties which could become a model for other regional states in the future," the first vice-president said.

IRNA reported that "Tehran is ready for comprehensive security, political and economic cooperation with Baghdad. Iran's security is also Iraq's. Tehran is ready to provide its experiences to the Iraqi nation and undoubtedly we will forge closer ties the future, Aref underlined."

Meantime, officials of both contries discussed the issue of Iraqi migrants in Iran and ways of their repatriation. "A report released by the Interior Ministry's BAFIA said that during the meeting, the difficulties facing Iraqi migrants residing in Iran such as the procedure of their arrival in and departure from the country, issuing of certificates of birth, marriage and residence for them were discussed and the necessary agreements were reached to the effect," IRTNA reported adding "the status of the Iraqis married to Iranian ladies who have returned to their country was examined and suggestions were made for the legal registration of their marriage.According to the report, the latest figure of Iraqi migrants residing in Iran was put at 100,000."

Also, Iraqi Electricity Minister Abd al-Muhsin Shalas called for using Iran's expertise in the field of generation and transmission of energy telling IRNA that "Cooperation between the two countries and using the expertise of Iranian specialists can reduce the problems facing Iraqis in the sector," he added declaring Iraq's readiness to sign a cooperation agreement with Iran in various branches of the industry.

Previous Stories:
  Jaafari in Tehran tomorrow   (7/15/2005)
  Duleimi- Shamakhani: no one can prevent cooperation between Iraq and Iran   (7/8/2005)
  Kharazi visit to Iraq gives a promise of establishing cordial relations   (5/21/2005)

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