Former Iraqi PM: Iran Iraq cooperation benefits regional countries
Iraq-Iran, Politics, 2/11/2007

Former Iraqi prime minister said today that his country expects that, like Iran, other countries consolidate their ties with Baghdad.

Following talks with Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Ebrahim Jaafari in a joint press conference congratulated the Iranian people and government on the anniversary of the victory of Islamic Revolution.

Referring to deep-rooted relations between Iraq and Iran, Jaafari said establishment of good relations with neighboring states and the world is part of Iraq's strategy.

Head of Iraqi Dawa political party said boosting ties between Iran and Iraq benefits all the regional countries. Pointing to his previous visit to Iran as prime minister and also visits by the current Iraqi president and prime minister, Jaafari said two-way visits strengthen ties.

He expressed his sorrow at the arrest of Iranian diplomats in Iraq and said efforts are underway by the Iraqi president and prime minister with all concerned sides on the issue. The Iranian foreign minister said the stubborn US action in abducting Iranian diplomats should be ended as soon as possible and called on the Iraqi government to hold serious talks with occupying US forces to free them.

Mottaki said the pivotal element in the US Iraq policy is to weaken the legal government of Iraq and to jeopardize good and brotherly relations of the neighboring countries.

Mottaki said that democracy was institutionalized in Iraq during Jaafari's tenure, noting that during the period a referendum was held and Iraq's constitution was ratified in the neighboring country.

Mottaki said Iran supports Maleki government in Iraq and helps with security and peace establishment in this neighboring state.

Iran's foreign minister called for more economic cooperation with Iraq and said Iran has assigned one billion dollars for projects in Iraq.

Meantime, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani today reiterated his country's strong support for the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

"I repeat that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports democracy, the national government of Prime Minister Maliki, national assembly and the constitution of Iraq and will not spare any effort which can contribute to the reconstruction, development and security of Iraq.

My country also fully supports the preservation of the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq as a basic principle," Larijani said in his speech to the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy.

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