ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi President Nizar Amedi and Parliament Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi on Wednesday received Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Baghdad, where talks centered on regional developments and bilateral cooperation, according to statements from the Iraqi officials' offices.
Amedi and Ghalibaf discussed prospects for deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation "in ways that serve the shared interests of the two peoples and the broader interests of the region," the Iraqi presidency said.
The Iraqi president affirmed Baghdad's support for “all efforts to end conflicts and resolve regional crises,” calling for “dialogue and diplomacy to address outstanding issues and lay the groundwork for security, development and lasting stability" in the region.
Ghalibaf, for his part, stressed the depth of Iran-Iraq ties, expressing Tehran's pride in the countries' "longstanding historic relations" and its “commitment to coordination” with Baghdad across various fields.
The Iraqi parliament speaker's office, meanwhile, said Halbousi and Ghalibaf discussed activating joint committees and “expanding cooperation and coordination between the two [countries’] legislatures.”
Halbousi stressed the importance of deepening Iran-Iraq ties, “particularly at the parliamentary level,” and broadening areas of cooperation "to serve the interests of the two neighbouring peoples."
"Iraq is one of the countries most affected by the regional circumstances and developments," Halbousi said, calling for Iraq to be granted special status regarding oil exports via the Strait of Hormuz to protect its economic interests.
Ghalibaf, for his part, was quoted as affirming Tehran's commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation, prioritizing “trade and economic sectors.” He further underscored the importance of “strengthening frameworks of cooperation and joint parliamentary coordination, as well as following up on the implementation of signed agreements between the two countries.”
The senior Iranian official, who is leading Tehran's war-end talks with Washington, also met Wednesday with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, where talks covered “bilateral ties, border security, counterterrorism, economic cooperation, and the implementation of existing joint agreements.”
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