Vice-President: Iran seeking expansion of ties with regional states

Iran is seeking expansion of ties with regional states, Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said, ISNA reported.

"Regional countries should be so closely linked together to prevent enemies' covetousness for the region. Muslims should be united. Iran and Iraq can work well on bilateral issues," Rahimi said in a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Wednesday in Baghdad.

"Iran and Iraq can also work on joint economic activities, including gas transfer to Iraq and other countries including Syria and Lebanon and establishment of joint economic companies on trade," he added.

Zebari on his part stressed expansion of mutual relations.

"Despite public demands, the pace of cooperation has been slow so far, but we need to speed it up," he added.

Rahimi also met with the Leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, Ammar Hakim and Iraqi parliamentarians, where he said, "Iranian and Iraqi nations will soon see growing results of bilateral relations."

Ammar Hakim on his part welcomed Rahimi's trip and stressed further mutual relations.

Iranian First Vice President held talks with former Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari and said Iran would support national sovereignty and Iraqi group' coalition.


/Trend/