Iran, Iraq joint transportation

Iranian and Iraqi officials in a meeting in Tehran agreed to establish joint companies to facilitate transportation of goods and passengers between the two countries. "On the sidelines of a recent meeting (between the Iranian and Iraqi road and transportation ministers), the two sides agreed to set up joint transportation companies," Iranian Deputy Minister of Road and Urbanization Shahriyar Afandizadeh told FNA on Saturday. He expressed the hope that the measure would further facilitate transportation between the two neighboring countries. Tehran and Baghdad signed a number of bilateral agreements during Iraqi Transportation Minister Hadi Farhan al-Amiri's recent visit to Iran. Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi in his remarks on Thursday welcomed the bilateral agreements, and said the two countries should further expand their railway ties and cooperation. The Iranian official referred to the existence of great potentials in both countries and their good geographical positions, and argued, "The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Iraq can gain shared interests by activating their potentials and broadening the level of cooperation." Rahimi meanwhile emphasized the need for the establishment of strong and reliable railway links between the two countries, and added, "Taking advantage of railroad in transportation has numerous privileges, including economizing in time, high security index, and abundant income." Referring to the reached agreements in the field of transportation, Rahimi asked for the expansion of railway cooperation and acceleration of new railways construction, increasing the two countries' ports and port facilities and increasing direct flights between Iran and Iraq.