Interview with Hasan Kazemi Qomi, Iranian ambassador to Iraq
Iran-Iraq relations; a model for other neighbors of Iraq
Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Hasan Kazemi Qomi, Iranian ambassador to Iraq, on Nuri Maleki’s visit
Iran-Iraq relations; a model for other neighbors of Iraq
Interview with Hasan Kazemi Qomi, Iranian ambassador to Iraq
The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maleki left Tehran after a two-day visit, reaching an agreement with Iranian officials to develop relations in all fields.
Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Hasan Kazemi Qomi, Iranian ambassador to Iraq, on Nuri Maleki’s visit:
What was the reason for the delay in Mr. Maleki’s visit to Tehran, which was supposed to take place last week?
Mr. Maleki’s visit was made at the specified date and there was no delay. Talks about delay go back to the time when we had set no date. In fact, at first there was no specified date, so no delays.
Mr. Maleki came to Tehran in the specified date and made a successful and fruitful two-day visit which focused on commercial and financial issues and participation of Iranian corporations in providing technical services.
The supreme committee set up with Mr. Maleki, Mr. Davoudi [Ahmadinejad’s vice president], and the concerning ministers, has assessed cooperation between two countries so far, the problems ahead and ways to operationalize the cooperation documents. Appropriate mechanisms have been defined and the next session of the committee is going to be held in Baghdad.
There is also a follow-up committee headed by Iranian the Foreign Minister and the Iraqi Minister of Commerce to pursue all agreements between two countries which are actualized now or have to be actualized. In the next month or two months the follow-up sessions will be held in Baghdad.
More than 110 cooperation documents have been signed between Tehran and Baghdad in cultural, commercial, financial and industrial fields and leaders of both countries try to carry all documents into effect. Both Iranian and Iraqi officials have stressed that though the trade volume has significantly increased within the past few years, there is still a need to expand ties in fields of commercial cooperation and technical services. With due planning, we must raise the trade volume -which is predicted to reach 4.2 billion dollars this year- to 10 billion dollars.
Therefore, the two countries are doing all they can to turn Tehran-Baghdad relations into a model for other neighbors of Iraq. We have a positive impression from Mr. Maleki’s visit and the two countries are intent to cooperate in all fields.
Why was the visit –with its significance for both countries- made while Gaza is in the spotlight? Was it to convey certain implications?
Our bilateral relations aren’t influenced by external factors, but based on mutual interests. Mr. Maleki’s visit took place within the framework of regular visits among officials of the two countries. This was Mr. Maleki’s fourth visit to Iran during his premiership. While the Iraqi government is focusing all its efforts on reconstructing the country and extending provision of services to the Iraqi nation, Iran can be a good aide with its experience in post-war reconstruction. We are ready to provide needs of Iraq and the visit can help to realize their objectives.
Mujahedin Khalgh was one of the issues discussed between Mr. Maleki and Tehran officials. What were the results?
On MKO, the Iraqi government has recognized them as a terrorist group. The Iraqi government visited Ashraf military site recently and announced to the group that Iraq is no longer a place for them and they should leave for Iran or a third country. Since the Iraqi government intends to take control of all dossiers, including those concerning security issues, from the beginning of the new Christian year, this issue is on Iraqi government’s agenda and Baghdad is determined to expel the group. Islamic Republic’s stance is also clear on this issue and we support the Iraqi government. Considering the security pact [between Iraq and the United States], what where your talks? The Iraqi government has always emphasized that there no threat from the Iraqi territory will aim towards neighboring countries. Keywords: Iran-Iraq relations. MKO
Interview with Hasan Kazemi Qomi, Iranian ambassador to Iraq
The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maleki left Tehran after a two-day visit, reaching an agreement with Iranian officials to develop relations in all fields.
Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Hasan Kazemi Qomi, Iranian ambassador to Iraq, on Nuri Maleki’s visit:
What was the reason for the delay in Mr. Maleki’s visit to Tehran, which was supposed to take place last week?
Mr. Maleki’s visit was made at the specified date and there was no delay. Talks about delay go back to the time when we had set no date. In fact, at first there was no specified date, so no delays.
Mr. Maleki came to Tehran in the specified date and made a successful and fruitful two-day visit which focused on commercial and financial issues and participation of Iranian corporations in providing technical services.
The supreme committee set up with Mr. Maleki, Mr. Davoudi [Ahmadinejad’s vice president], and the concerning ministers, has assessed cooperation between two countries so far, the problems ahead and ways to operationalize the cooperation documents. Appropriate mechanisms have been defined and the next session of the committee is going to be held in Baghdad.
There is also a follow-up committee headed by Iranian the Foreign Minister and the Iraqi Minister of Commerce to pursue all agreements between two countries which are actualized now or have to be actualized. In the next month or two months the follow-up sessions will be held in Baghdad.
More than 110 cooperation documents have been signed between Tehran and Baghdad in cultural, commercial, financial and industrial fields and leaders of both countries try to carry all documents into effect. Both Iranian and Iraqi officials have stressed that though the trade volume has significantly increased within the past few years, there is still a need to expand ties in fields of commercial cooperation and technical services. With due planning, we must raise the trade volume -which is predicted to reach 4.2 billion dollars this year- to 10 billion dollars.
Therefore, the two countries are doing all they can to turn Tehran-Baghdad relations into a model for other neighbors of Iraq. We have a positive impression from Mr. Maleki’s visit and the two countries are intent to cooperate in all fields.
Why was the visit –with its significance for both countries- made while Gaza is in the spotlight? Was it to convey certain implications?
Our bilateral relations aren’t influenced by external factors, but based on mutual interests. Mr. Maleki’s visit took place within the framework of regular visits among officials of the two countries. This was Mr. Maleki’s fourth visit to Iran during his premiership. While the Iraqi government is focusing all its efforts on reconstructing the country and extending provision of services to the Iraqi nation, Iran can be a good aide with its experience in post-war reconstruction. We are ready to provide needs of Iraq and the visit can help to realize their objectives.
Mujahedin Khalgh was one of the issues discussed between Mr. Maleki and Tehran officials. What were the results?
On MKO, the Iraqi government has recognized them as a terrorist group. The Iraqi government visited Ashraf military site recently and announced to the group that Iraq is no longer a place for them and they should leave for Iran or a third country. Since the Iraqi government intends to take control of all dossiers, including those concerning security issues, from the beginning of the new Christian year, this issue is on Iraqi government’s agenda and Baghdad is determined to expel the group. Islamic Republic’s stance is also clear on this issue and we support the Iraqi government. Considering the security pact [between Iraq and the United States], what where your talks? The Iraqi government has always emphasized that there no threat from the Iraqi territory will aim towards neighboring countries. Keywords: Iran-Iraq relations. MKO