UPDATE 2 - Iranian president visits Baghdad for talks

UPDATES WITH ROUHANI'S REMARKS

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD (AA) - Speaking from Baghdad on Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iraq and Iran share “longstanding cultural, religious and political ties”, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

“Such commonalities cannot be easily undermined,” Rouhani was quoted as saying. “And we hope to solidify our ties further.”

The Iranian president made the remarks at a joint press conference with Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih at Baghdad’s Al-Salam Palace.

“Boosting ties will benefit both of our governments and nations,” Rouhani said, according to Mehr.

Iran’s Fars news agency, for its part, quoted Rouhani as saying at Monday’s press conference: “We consider Iraq a very important country -- one that can play a vital role in maintaining regional security and promoting good relations among regional states”.

Baghdad and Tehran, he added, “together have the capacity to bolster mutual cooperation on trade, energy, investment, tourism, the environment, banking and engineering”.

Rouhani arrived in Baghdad earlier Monday for a three-day visit during which he is slated to hold talks with several top Iraqi officials.

According to an Iraqi Foreign Ministry source, Rouhani -- along with members of his delegation -- was welcomed at Baghdad International Airport by Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed al-Hakim.

Shortly after his arrival, Rouhani visited the shrine of Imam al-Kadhim in the Iraqi city of Kadhimiya before meeting Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih.

During his visit, the Iranian leader is also expected to hold talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and prominent Shia cleric Ali al-Sistani.

Iraq and Iran have enjoyed good relations since former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was toppled following the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003.

Rouhani's current visit to the country appears aimed at bolstering bilateral trade and investment at a time when Iran is facing a raft of recently re-imposed U.S. sanctions.

The total annual trade volume between the two neighbors is currently estimated at some $12 billion.

Last November, officials from both sides said they hoped to increase this figure to $20 billion in coming years.