Iraqi and Iranian Presidents emphasize need to boost efforts to calm tensions

Iraq 11:51 AM - 2023-04-29

Iraqi President and Iranian President.

On Saturday, April 29, 2023, Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid was officially welcomed by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at Tehran's Saadabad Palace. The Iraqi President, accompanied by Iraq's First Lady, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, and several Ministers, advisors, and senior officials, had arrived in Iran earlier on the same day for an official visit. 

The two Presidents held bilateral talks and discussed Baghdad-Tehran friendly relations and ways to boost them and strengthen their cooperation in the disciplines of energy, water resources, environment, climate, and tourism in the ways that would most serve both nations' ties. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of continued collaboration and coordination on issues of mutual concern to promote regional security and stability. 

They also discussed various vital issues, highlighting the need to step up efforts to calm tensions at the regional and international levels and collaborate to boost peace prospects.

Iraqi President: "We have a shared history"

Following the meeting, the Iraqi President stated in a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart: "We are bound together by common history, trade, and strong social ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran." 

"Bilateral relations are strategically important," he continued. "Examining the specifics of Iran-Iraq ties takes time; The Iraqis are known for their loyalty and will never forget your help. When we faced oppression and dictatorship and were living in misery, you came to our aid and opened the door for Iraqis of all communities to flee the dictatorship's oppression."

"We will never forget the significance and assistance of Iran during the chemical attack on Halabja, and the most recent assistance was supporting the Iraqi people in their fight against terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS)," he said.

The two sides have a strong and significant relationship

"The relationship between the two parties is significant, solid, and growing stronger every day," President Rashid stated. "We must fight drug trafficking together because it is an epidemic similar to cancer that has spread among the people." 

"I am pleased that ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran have strengthened, and I hope that it will lead to greater security and stability in the region," he added.

Iranian President: "Our relationship with Iraq is a special one"

"I want to clarify two points from the Iraqi president's statement," Iranian President Raisi stated after Rashid's statement. "Drugs... Iran is now the front line of drug defense, and we have suffered a lot. We informed the Europeans that it probably would have spread throughout Europe if we hadn't defended ourselves.

"We have had fruitful discussions in the political, economic, and cultural fields, and Iran and Iraq have special and strategic relations," he added. "The trade exchange between the two countries is worth more than $10 billion, and we want to expand it." 

"Organized drug trafficking is very dangerous, and Iran has made great efforts to stop it," he said.

Water rights are protected

"The second point I want to clarify is that the countries in the region have rights and shares in water, and every country must abide by them, and we will adhere to giving the water shares of other countries." 

"We highlight that we can rely on the agreements and assure you that your water rights are protected," he said.



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