Heidar al-Ebadi arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for a single-day visit, during which he held a meeting with President Rouhani, who described Tehran-Baghdad ties as ‘strategic’ and believed that improving relations would secure both sides' interests.
Rouhani said that both countries had ample opportunities as well as capacities to boost relations and urged acceleration of cooperation agreements between the two neighbors. He mentioned Iran’s southwestern border ports of Abadan and Khorramshahr and Iraqi southeastern port of Basra as the priorities in developing relations, which he believed would benefit the local people in both sides of the border.
President Rouani hailed Iraqi government’s efforts in restoring unity among different sects, parties and ethnicities; “however, some countries in the region seek to fuel ethnic violence and deepen sectarian rift in Iraq; in such an atmosphere, attempts should be centered on promoting national unity and consolidation to plunge the enemies to despair,” Rouhani asserted.
Rouhani praised the resistance and perseverance of Iraqi nation and army against terrorists; “the major responsibility of fighting terrorism and their ultimate defeat is with Iraqi nation and army; however, Iran’s government and people will stand with Iraq in their battle with forces of darkness,” he emphasized.
“Stability and security in Iraq would contribute to peace in the region and Iraq’s neighbors,” President Rouhani said.
Heidar al-Ebadi for his part expressed gratitude for the warm welcome lavished upon him by the government and urged improvement of bilateral trade and cultural relations; on his country’s measures to fight ISIL, al-Ebadi said that the group had been destroying Iraq’s rich cultural heritage and religion; however, he ensured that Iraqis would remain united against ISIL Takfirists, and would seek help from its friends in bringing the nemesis of the ISIL.
Al-Ebadi reiterated president Rouhani’s remarks about the importance of cooperation in border port cities in the south.
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