Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki while meeting Iranian envoy

(With photos)

 BAGHDAD, July 24 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said here Saturday his government is keen on increasing trade exchange with Iran, and on reinforcing cooperative ties with it in various fields, mainly economy and trade.
Speaking at a meeting with a visiting Iranian envoy, Al-Maliki said: "The Iraqi government is interested in developing relations with Iran in all areas, especially economic and trade ones." "The field is open for Iranian companies and businessmen in this regard," he added.
He went on to say: "We are looking forward to boosting trade exchange between Iraq and Iraq. In our turn, we have acted to raise the number of frontier points between both countries. So, we need to improve the circumstances of work at these points." The Iraqi prime minister emphasized that the mutual desire of Iraq and Iran to push forward bilateral cooperative relations should be utilized in the correct way that could be beneficial to both sides.
Al-Maliki also called for furthering bilateral cooperation in the fields of electricity and oil. For his part, the visiting Iranian envoy reiterated his country's support for Iraq's security, stability and prosperity. (end) mhg.mt KUNA 241736 Jul 10NNNN