Iranian FM arrives in Baghdad to discuss on bilateral issues

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in his first foreign trip arrived in Baghdad on Sunday to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues with high-ranking Iraqi officials. "That we have decided to take our first trip to the friendly and brotherly country of Iraq indicates the importance of relations with the neighbors, specially Iraq, for the Islamic Republic and for the Government of Prudence and Hope (as President Rouhani called it during his presidential campaign)," Zarif told reporters upon arrival at Baghdad airport on Sunday. The Iranian top diplomat said that he is due to confer on the bilateral issues and the current "dangerous regional conditions" with Iraqi officials. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who had come to the airport to welcome his Iranian counterpart, also underlined the necessity for the further strengthening of ties with Tehran. Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, in 2003. Both sides are working on a series of plans to take wide strides in expanding their ties, in economic fields in particular.