Iran, Iraq discuss expansion of agricultural ties

During a meeting between Iranian Agriculture Minister
Mohammad Ali Nikbakht and his Iraqi counterpart in Tehran on Thursday, the
Iranian minister referred to the close relations between the two countries and
stressed the need to use all capacities and expand bilateral relations in
various agricultural fields.

“The cultural, social and religious
relations between the people of Iran and Iraq have their roots in history, and
religious commonalities and spiritual values have added to its consistency and
durability”, Nikbakht said.

He added that today the first session of Iran-Iraq’s joint
committee for agricultural cooperation will be held in line with the two
countries’ national interests.

“To cooperate in different sectors,
we must have a timetable that fits the agricultural calendars of the two countries”,
Nikbakht said, adding, “We are ready to meet Iraq’s domestic needs and also
import goods from Iraq.”

The Iranian minister further described fisheries as one of
the biggest investment opportunities in Iran, and said, “We will pave the way
for Iraqi investors to invest in the field of aquaculture, fishing and related
activities”.

He also underlined the need for exchanging technical
knowledge in various agricultural fields between the two countries.

Iraq’s Agriculture Minister Abbas al-Maliki, for his part,
hailed the good trade relations between the two nations, and noted, “The two
countries need to actively cooperate in the field of agriculture and reduce the
challenges facing the global economy”.

“We are hopeful to expand our
economic cooperation with Iran particularly in the field of animal production
and animal husbandry”, he said.

Al-Maliki further expressed hope that with the efforts of
the two countries’ governments and businessmen, the development of trade and
economic relations between the two sides will become smoother and the talks in
the joint committee meeting will lead to the signing of documents to develop
bilateral cooperation.