Iraqi, Iranian Presidents Stress Enhancing Ties

Iraqi President's media office

Iraqi President Rashid and Iranian President Pezeshkian

Baghdad Palace was the venue of a formal ceremony marking the first state visit to Iraq by Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian. The Iranian President and his delegation received a warm welcome by Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, the Iraqi Presidency reported on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

In his first foreign trip since assuming office in July, Iran's President Pezeshkian was congratulated by President Rashid, who also commended the Iranian government for a successful presidential election.

“We wish to bring Tehran and Baghdad closer together to ensure the security of both states' interests,” said the Iraqi President, before extending his condolences to President Pezeshkian following the tragic helicopter accident in which President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and members of his entourage lost their lives.

The two leaders also held a bilateral meeting to discuss Iraqi-Iranian relations, according to the Iraqi Presidency, where President Rashid pointed out that Iraq and Iran share deep cultural, and historical ties.

“It is critical to note that Iran is one of Iraq's closest neighbors as it has a strong regional position that supports regional stability,” President Rashid said. “As part of its commitment to a peaceful and prosperous region, Iraq supports the strengthening of cooperation in order to combat terrorism and extremism, enhance border security and reduce tensions.”

President Rashid added that it is important that both countries activate their agreements as well as the memorandums of understanding that have already been signed between them. President Rashid emphasised that climate change is currently among the biggest challenges facing the two countries, as well as the rest of the world.

He stressed the need to jointly tackle water scarcity, “as multi-stakeholder collaboration should not be underestimated”. He also called for the release of waters that flow into shared rivers and underscored the need to reach a mutually satisfactory understanding on water sharing.

On Iraq’s debts to Iran, he said: “We need to come to an understanding and find appropriate formulas to ensure that these funds are paid to the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

President Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude for President Rashid’s warm reception and generous hospitality. He applauded his Iraqi counterpart’s dedicated efforts to fortify the bonds of friendship and advance the relationship between their two neighboring nations. He reaffirmed Iran's strong commitment to advancing constructive cooperation with Iraq across a wide range of fields and pledged to continue working together on issues of mutual concern.

Additionally, he conveyed his country’s eagerness to explore new opportunities and develop innovative strategies to further solidify the ties between Iran and Iraq. The Iranian President proposed establishing a joint committee between the two countries to craft a detailed strategic plan for collaboration. Among the critical areas that should be addressed under this initiative would be health, environmental protection, industrial growth, security and tourism, covering the Kurdistan Region as well.



PUKMEDIA