President Rouhani: Iran wants united Iraq

President Rouhani made the remarks in a meeting with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Saleem Al-Jubouri in Tehran on Tuesday on the sidelines of the opening of the 13th Session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) Conference.

He said Iranian and Iraqi central banks should continue consultations and cooperation in that line.

President Rouhani went on to say that the expansion of relations between Iran and Iraq as a big and influential country of the region is of high significance and Tehran welcomes expansion of extensive, sincere and strategic relations with Baghdad.

He added that fortunately over recent years, relations and cooperation between Iran and Iraq have been expanding in light of brotherhood and fraternity and we should strive more for all-out expansion of relations and cooperation.

President Rouhani said that expansion of Iran-Iraq banking relations is influential in the expansion of mutual economic and commercial relations and their central banks should continue cooperation to that end.

The president considered victories and success of the government and nation of Iraq in fighting terrorism and failing enemy plots to divide people of the country as important and said the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been calling for united Iraq with no change in geographical borders of the regional countries.

President Rouhani announced that the Iranian government and nation will continue to support the Iraqi government and nation, and said, ‘Today, it is the time for stabilization of Iraq’s victories and moving towards development of the country for development.’

‘We hope dialogues, collective thinking and coordination by Muslim countries should continue at various levels,’ the Iranian president added.

Al-Jabouri, for his part, said that Iranian president’s message to the 13th PUIC conference is aimed at solving problems of the world of Islam.

He said today, Muslim world faces highly painful problems and no option is left, but to have constructive collaboration and cooperation among Muslim countries to solve problems.

Al-Jabouri praised ‘positive and constructive’ role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in settling problems of the region, and said Iran’s role in settling problems off the world of Islam is praiseworthy.

He also referred to the victories of the government, nation and army of Iraq in fighting terrorism in light of support and help of Iran, and said, ‘Today, Iraq is on the verge of new phase and we want help and support of Iran to continued in line with development, stability and reconstruction of Iraq.’