Arbaeen Procession Unparalleled Manifestation of Iran-Iraq Deep Bonds: President
Speaking in a joint meeting of high-ranking delegations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq, held in Tehran during a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Pezseshkian said the generous hospitality of the Iraqi people and government to millions of Iranian pilgrims during the annual Arbaeen procession has created unparalleled scenes of empathy, brotherhood, and solidarity that are astonishing to the world and worthy of appreciation.
He also referred to the large and magnificent presence of the Iraqi people in the funeral ceremony of martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, considering this presence a symbol of the depth of the historical, cultural and religious relations between the two nations.
Such scenes reflect the deep-rooted ties that, beyond political relations, have connected the nations of Iran and Iraq to each other, he said.
The president expressed his pleasure at hosting the Iraqi premier and his accompanying delegation at the joint meeting and emphasized the two countries’ determination to comprehensively enhance relations.
The Islamic Republic of Iran wants relations between Tehran and Baghdad to be elevated to the highest possible level in all political, economic, commercial, scientific, agricultural, industrial, security and infrastructure fields, relying on the historical, cultural and religious background of the two nations, he stated.
Emphasizing the necessity of making joint mechanisms between the two countries more active, the president called for the regular formation of joint commissions and the acceleration of the implementation of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding, and said it is necessary for all agreements to enter the implementation stage as soon as possible with the continuous follow-up of the responsible agencies, and for the relevant ministers to accelerate the process of developing cooperation by providing practical solutions.
Pezeshkian also emphasized the necessity of developing a “comprehensive strategic cooperation plan” between Iran and Iraq, and considered it a roadmap for the development of long-term relations between the two countries.
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The president considered security to be one of the most important areas of cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad, and emphasizing that the security of the two countries is linked to each other.
“Insecurity in either country will have direct effects on the other; therefore, developing security cooperation is a strategic necessity for both sides.”
The Iraqi prime minister, for his part, emphasized the special position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in his country's foreign policy and described the development and deepening of bilateral cooperation as a strategic necessity.
Al-Zaidi emphasized that the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran is of particular importance to Iraq and said no point on Iraqi soil will be allowed to become a place for threatening or creating insecurity against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iraqi premier also referred to the role of Iran in the fight against terrorism and said the Iraqi nation will never forget Iran’s support in confronting the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group; support that was not merely at the level of political positions, but was practically provided alongside the Iraqi people to eradicate terrorism.
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