NOURNEWS - During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop cooperation.
They also conferred on the latest regional and international issues, as well as the situation in Iraq with the Iraqi premier.
Zarif underlined the importance of al-Khadimi’s upcoming visit to Iran as a new chapter in bilateral relations, saying that Tehran is waiting for implementation of agreements between the two countries.
Al-Kadhimi, for his part, stressed the importance of bilateral relations between Tehran and Baghdad and its development and flourishing in different fields in line with the two nations’ interests as well as common measures to establish stability and security in the region.
Al-Kadhimi plans to visit Iran next week as his first foreign state trip after taking power, his National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji said.
Zarif and Iraqi President Barham Salih had also in a meeting in Baghdad on Sunday conferred on ways to further broaden all-out relations and pursue the US assassination of former IRGC Quds Force Commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.
During the meeting, the two high-ranking officials underlined the age-old ties between the two countries, and described further development and deepening of relations as beneficial to both nations and the regional states.
Zarif and Salih also reviewed the latest developments in bilateral ties as well as important ways to expand the economic and trade relations between the two countries, latest measures to pursue the US assassination of General Soleimani in Baghdad in January and the key regional and international issues.
Earlier today, Zarif held a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Fo’ad Hossein in Baghdad.
Speaking to reporters in a joint press conference after the meeting, he underlined the need for the establishment of tranquility in the region, saying that Tehran is interested in having a powerful and peaceful Iraq along its border.
“A powerful Iraq full of peace and tranquility with constructive and good relations with all its neighbors is equal to power, tranquility, stability and peace of ourselves and we welcome Iraq’s effective role in the powerful and peaceful Persian Gulf region,” Zarif said.
He added that presidents of the two countries have agreed to increase their volume of trade ties to $20bln during President Rouhani’s visit to Iraq, and said, “We are not so much far from that goal and we will certainly adopt joint measures to this end.”
“Iraq is one of prioritized neighbors in our economic and trade relations,” Zarif said.
He also referred to the US assassination of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and al-Muhandis, in January, and said it was a big harm to the war on terrorism in the region and Iran and Iraq will pursue the case in cooperation with each other.
“It is highly important to us to see that the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of our neighbors does not come under aggression by foreigners,” Zarif stressed.
Fars News