Iran's Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani said Wednesday that regional countries favor a united, independent and democratic Iraq which has peaceful coexistence with its neighbors.
Talking to reporters at the end of the second round of talks with his Iraqi counterpart Sadun al-Dulaymi, Shamkhani said that Iran is prepared to cooperate with Iraq in a bid to achieve aforesaid goals.
Pointing to bilateral talks now in progress, he hoped that past problems would be settled via such negotiations.
He was optimistic a new chapter in Iran-Iraq relations would be opened based on close cooperation. According to IRNA, he wished that his Iraqi counterpart's visit would be a turning point in the expansion of ties, hoping an agreement would be signed in this regard.
The Iraqi minister, for his part, called on Iran to help his country to play a more effective role in establishing peace, stability and security in the region. Al-Dulaymi, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran Tuesday at the official invitation of Shamkhani.
