Iraq affirmed its endeavor to protect national sovereignty and the non-interference of neighboring countries in its internal affairs, as Iraqi President, Barham Salih, during his meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Baghdad yesterday, stressed the region's need for mutual understanding to find solutions to crises and to establish regional security.
He also stressed that Iraq attaches importance to protecting its sovereignty, security and stability, and cooperates with allies and friends in the framework of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs.
In turn, Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, explained that Iraq seeks to assert its balanced role in making peace in the region.
For his part, Foreign Minister, Fouad Hussein, during his meeting with Zarif, affirmed his country's efforts to avoid regional and international tensions and protect its sovereignty.
He also stressed that Iraq is sticking to establishing balanced relations with neighboring countries, and not to interfere in internal affairs.
Hussein added, during the joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that "the strength of Iraq means the strength of the region, and we want balanced relations with all neighboring countries according to the Iraqi national interest and not to interfere in internal affairs."
He pointed out that "during the meeting, the program of the Iraqi Prime Minister's visit to Tehran was studied in the coming days."
Zarif arrived in Baghdad, earlier yesterday, on an official visit, which comes days before an upcoming visit by the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, to Tehran, as part of a tour starting from Riyadh, then Tehran, then Washington.
The Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed his country's efforts to avoid regional and international tensions.