Talks to develop Iraqi-Iranian relations begin Wednesday – minister

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Trade Minister, Abdul Falah al-Sudani, said that the Iraqi-Iranian talks will begin on Wednesday morning in Baghdad to discuss means to bolster bilateral relations. Al-Sudani told IraqiNews.com news agency that he will head the Iraqi side, while the Iranian side will be headed by Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. “More than 20 ministries from both countries will contribute in discussing means to boost and widen economic, cultural and scientific relations,” he added. Mottaki had arrived in Baghdad late Tuesday on a several day visit to the country, during which he will meet with Iraq’s President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as well as a number of senior Iraqi officials, according to a governmental source. “Talks will tackle also oil, electricity and widening trade volume files as well as cultural activities,” the minister explained. The Iranian minister’s last visit to Iraq was on March 3 2008. The two neighbours agreed in January to establish a high-ranking joint committee to improve cooperation. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited Tehran last month to seek Iran’s help in rebuilding the country. Trade between the two countries, which share a 1,200-kilometer border, grew from $1.5 billion in 2006 to $2.8 billion in 2007. The volume of trade reached $4 billion at the end of 2008. SH (S) 1