Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Iraqi FM says his country to promote all-out relations with Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, May 18, IRNA
Iran-Iraq-Zebari
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said Wednesday that his country is determined to expand all-out relations with neighboring Iran.

He welcomed the visit of his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi to Baghdad, saying that the extensive coverage given by the global mass media to the visit indicates its significance and timing, the Information and Press Department at Iran's Foreign Ministry reported.

However, he reiterated that the remarks made by some Iraqi officials in the past (in the post-war interim government) do not reflect the approach of Iraqi government towards Iran.

The nation and government of Iraq consider Iran as their brother and friend, he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Kharrazi stressed that top priorities should be recognized and put on the two countries' agenda.

He underlined the need for conducting pilgrimage visits, the release of Iranian prisoners in Iraqi jails and scheduling a timetable for holding meetings of various committees.

Foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq discussed bilateral relations during the first round of their talks in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi began his landmark trip to Iraq on Tuesday.

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::IRNA No.063 18/05/2005 17:38 --End