Samarraie calls for strategic project in the region

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Parliament Speaker Iyad al-Samarraie on Tuesday called on regional countries to establish a strategic cooperation project that benefits them all and reduces tension in relations. “Weak relations among regional countries have prompted some external forces to interfere…,” Samarraie said during his meeting with Ali Larijani, the speaker of the Iranian Majlis, in Tehran today. Samarraie called to establish a strategic project for political, economic and security operation among regional countries. He also urged the Iranian government to work out unresolved issues with Iraq, including the water crisis, border demarcation and missing prisoners of war. Samarraie has led a high-ranking delegation to the Iranian capital Tehran to discuss several pending issues with Iranian officials. Samarraie, who arrived in Tehran on Monday evening, is scheduled to discuss the file of Iraqi prisoners, missing prisoners of war and refugees. The visit comes in response to an official invitation from the speaker of the Iranian Majlis, Ali Larijani. The delegation included several lawmakers and parliamentary committee members. SS (S) 1