During a press conference at the conclusion of his visit, Qalibaf said he had met with Iraq’s president, prime minister, parliament speaker, judicial officials and security authorities. He described the atmosphere of the talks as warm, friendly and brotherly, saying the meetings focused on major bilateral issues and regional developments.
Qalibaf said the approaching final withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq would be an important step toward strengthening the country’s independence and sovereignty. He emphasized that Iran does not interfere in Iraq’s internal affairs and would support any agreement reached by Iraqi political groups and officials within the framework of the country’s constitution and with respect for its independence and sovereignty.
The Parliament speaker also stressed the importance of cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad in maintaining regional security. He said developments in the region have shown that the presence of foreign forces and actions by the Israeli regime have not created security, but rather increased instability and damage.
According to Qalibaf, regional countries have increasingly recognized the need for an indigenous security framework based on cooperation among the countries of the region.
Qalibaf identified economic cooperation as another major focus of the talks with Iraq, saying sanctions have put pressure on both countries but could also create opportunities to expand economic ties. He said a meeting is expected to be held in Tehran within the next two weeks, bringing together chambers of commerce, business people and economic officials from both countries to explore and pursue practical ways to expand bilateral economic cooperation.
The Parliament speaker also referred to his presence at Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH) Mosque in Karbala and meetings with Iraqi officials and local residents. He said the two sides discussed cooperation on the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, religious tourism and broader tourism activities. Qalibaf ultimately described his visit to Iraq as successful and practical in the economic, political, security, cultural and social fields, and expressed his appreciation for the hospitality of the Iraqi people and officials.
Neda Sajjadi - H.Hakimzadeh
