NOURNEWS - In an interview with Nasser Hussein al-Shabli, the Iraqi Minister of Transportation, Mr. Mohammad Eslami stated that "I am confident that with your presence in this position, we will experience a different and prosperous period, also I am ready to meet both in Tehran and in Iraq and to be able to lay the foundation stone for long-term cooperation."
Referring to the Shalamcheh-Basra railway, Eslami added: "We have delivered the railway to Shalamcheh for many years and I am again announcing my readiness to invest in the railway to Basra. With your coordination and cooperation, we can see train traffic on both sides of the country."
Addressing the Iraqi Minister of Transport, he said: It is important for us and for Iraq to be able to move to Central Asia, Pakistan and Russia. We hope that this railway will be able to provide a new chapter in the range of cooperation between the two countries.
The Minister of Roads and Urban Development stated that Iran has 24 border points with neighboring countries, he added: In all of these terminals, we are implementing health procedures, and we hope that after Eid al-Fitr, trade relations will be restored from the land borders so that traders and merchants will be able to exchange goods.
Referring to the history of Iraqi Minister of Transportation involvement in the Iraqi airspace, he pointed out: "Fortunately, the number of flights between the two countries has been good, and we expect the flights to resume after the Coronavirus pandemic, and our people will be able to travel to each other's countries."
Expressing hope for the face-to-face meeting, the Minister of Roads and Urban Development stated: "I hope we can create a solid foundation for expanding cooperation with your help and the people of the two countries can benefit from our joint decisions for many years."
In the telephone conversation, the Iraqi Minister of Transportation also expressed hope that several meetings would be held to advance relations between the two sides and complete the joint railway project.
He added: "We are trying to get this done and will hold a joint meeting as soon as possible."
The Iraqi Minister of Transportation also stated: "In the near future, the roads between the two countries will be opened, the most important of which are railway & airspace. We are also renewing and amending previously signed agreements to the benefit of the people of both countries."
IRIB