Iran, Iraq Keen to Expand Judicial Ties

 (FNA)- Iranian and Iraqi officials in a meeting in Baghdad stressed the need for the expansion of bilateral ties, specially in judicial areas.

During the meeting in the Iraqi capital on Thursday, Iranian Justice Minister Mostafa Pour Mohammadi and his Iraqi counterpart Hassan al-Shammari explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating mutual cooperation.

Pour Mohammadi pointed to the current Iran-Iraq judicial relations, and said, "The two countries should expand judicial cooperation, organize cross-border travel, tackle illegal entries and determine the fate of detainees."

Al-Shammari, for his part, hailed Iran's determination to support the Iraqi stability and security as well as the democratic process.

During the meeting, the Iranian and Iraqi justice ministers signed a memorandum of understating (MoU) on extradition of prisoners.

According to the agreement, the Iranian and Iraqi justice ministries will set up a joint committee at the earliest to examine the situation of the prisoners and prepare the ground for their extradition.

The prisoners will serve their prison terms in their own countries.

Pour Mohammadi is on a two-day official visit to Iraq at the invitation of al-Shammari.

Meanwhile, Pour-Mohammadi will also meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Parliament Speaker Osama Nujaifi and Head of the Arab country's Supreme Judiciary Council Medhat Mahmoud during his stay in Baghdad.

Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, during the 2003 US invasion of the Muslim country.