1st round of Iraqi-Iranian talks wrapped up

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi delegation currently on a visit to Iran capped the first round of talks with the Iranian side on means to further bilateral relations at the political, economic and investment levels, according to a release issued by the office of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Friday. “The official meeting between the two sides, which started on Friday (Feb. 27), saw Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad praising a fraternal meeting and the Iraqi people’s great strides towards stability and development,” read the release as received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “I had a fruitful meeting with my brother President Talabani. We tackled the need to enhance ties in all fields and we also exchanged views on domestic, regional and international issues,” the release quoted Ahmadinejad as saying. The round of talks was attended by Iraqi Electricity Minister Kareem Waheed, Industry Minister Fawzi Hariri and Reconstruction & Housing Minister Bayan Daza Yie as well as the Iraqi parliament’s foreign relations committee chairman Sheikh Hammam Hammoudi. AmR (P) 1