TEHRAN - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said that recent researches show the dust storms do not merely originate in Iraq and is attributed to a large part of the region.
Maliki made the remarks during a joint press conference with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi, which was held after the meeting of Iran-Iraq joint supreme economic committee which was held in Baghdad on Wednesday.
Maliki and Rahimi co-chaired the meeting.
During the press conference, the Iraqi prime minister also said that Iraq is keen to cooperate with other regional countries in order to help manage the crisis of dust storms.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Maliki stated that the Iraqi government is making endeavors to provide the Iranian pilgrims with better services.
He also said that Rahimi's visit to Baghdad marked a milestone in relations between the two countries.
Rahimi briefed reporters on the achievements that Iran has made in various fields and said the Islamic Republic is interested in sharing its expertise with the neighboring country of Iraq.
The interests of Iran and Iraq are interlinked, he added.
Iran-Iraq strong ties will serve regional security
During the meeting of the joint committee, Maliki said that the strengthening of ties between Tehran and Baghdad will help improve security and stability in the entire region.
The meeting is regarded as a step toward the enhancement of brotherly relations between Tehran and Baghdad, he added.
He also said that the two countries have taken considerable steps to cement bilateral ties and envisioned a bright future for relations between Iraq and the Islamic Republic.
Rahimi stated that Tehran-Baghdad relations could serve as a model for other countries, adding Iran is interested in sharing its expertise in various spheres, including security and trade spheres, with Iraq.
Tehran, Baghdad sign six MOUs
The Iranian and Iraqi officials also signed six memorandums of understanding on boosting cooperation in economic, cultural, scientific, technological, communications, and medical spheres.
© Tehran Times 2011
