Foreign Ministry Caretaker Ali Akbar Salehi, in a meeting with head of Iraq parliament Shia faction, said that Iran and Iraq are each other's cultural continuation, IRNA reported.
According to the report of Foreign Ministry Media Department, Head of Iraq parliament Shia faction Ebrahim Jafari met with Foreign Ministry Caretaker Ali Akbar Salehi here on Tuesday.
In the meeting, Salehi congratulated establishment of new government in Iraq and expressed pleasure with formation of the new government and said that the two countries are each other's cultural continuation and expressed hope that by existing potentials in Iraq, an advanced and developed Iraq can emerge and the country could find its real position soon, like what it had in history.
Referring to the economic issues, as a main motive in mutual relations, Salehi said that the current trade exchange level, which is around 7 billion dollars, is not adequate for capacities of the two countries and called for promotion of trade and economic cooperation between Iran and Iraq.
He expressed hope that with the help of an intellectual character like Ebrahim Jafari, as the head of biggest faction of Iraqi parliament and other friends, a strategic framework for comprehensive cooperation between Iran and Iraq can be set.
Jafari, for his part, appreciated Salehi statement and said that Iraq, in spite of all potentials and wealth, now needs neighboring countries assistance, especially Iran's.
He added that the new Iraq is trying to present a new image of itself to the world in which all ethnic groups can play a role.
The Iraqi MP praised Iran's stance about forming new Iraqi government and described role of both Foreign Ministries in developing ties 'important'.