Eurasia Press & News
A statement released by the Presidential Press Office said that during the meeting, Ahmadinejad also voiced Iran’s support for the formation of political institutions in Iraq in compliance with that country’s Constitutional and parliamentary laws, and said, “We believe that as a civilized and powerful nation, Iraqi people can overcome the existing problems and reconstruct their country.”
Noting the two nations’ profound religious, cultural, historical and sensational bonds, he said that the scope of the existing relations between Iran and Iraq goes far beyond neighborly ties, and continued, “We believe that the victory and glory of the Iraqi people, as a friendly and brother nation, belong to us as well. We will always keep you company and we will always back up the popular government of Iraq which has ascended to power through public vote and on the basis of that country’s Constitution.”
The President further voiced Iran’s full preparedness to render cooperation with Iraq in the different economic, development and reconstruction areas, specially in relation to water resources and transfer its experiences to that country in all the different spheres.
He also stated Iran’s readiness for helping to the reinvigoration of security in Iraq and stressed that the visit to Tehran by the Iraqi Premier would certainly consolidate and promote the two countries’ mutual ties and cooperation.
“Certainly Iran and Iraq, as brother countries, will remain in company and the unwanted guests will have to leave the region,” the President stressed.
For his part, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki noted the interests and bonds shared by the two neighboring states and reiterated the active and efficient role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region and as a pillar of regional peace and stability.
He said he was pleased to have realized Dr. Ahmadinejad’s profound views and his intense feelings of responsibility, and further described the meeting as very constructive and fruitful.
The Premier expressed regret that despite being a rich country, Iraq has not succeeded in enjoying the advantages of its wealth, adding, “We have resorted to new economic policies and accordingly approved new investment laws to absorb domestic and foreign capitals in a bid to reconstruct our country at a higher pace and turn Iraq into a prosperous and economically powerful country.
He further mentioned that the recent visits to Tehran by the Iraqi oil, power, agriculture and trade ministers, national security advisor and deputy prime minister have all taken place in compliance with the same new policies and reiterated his administration’s inclination for further developing political and economic ties with Iran and using Tehran’s experiences and cooperate for the reconstruction of Iraq, specially in the sphere of energy and water resources.
The two sides are due to endorse some new memoranda of understanding on further cooperation during al-Maliki’s visit to Tehran.
