By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : q and Iran have agreed to control their borders and prevent the smuggling of weapons.
This is contained in the final communique issued by Iraq and Iran Monday on the occasion of the state visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Iraq.
In their statement, both countries stressed the necessity of working together to control the border and prevent the infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons, drugs and others.
They also agreed to set up an executive committee to demarcate land and sea borders in light of the results reached between both sides following a Tehran meeting on Feb 19-22.
Iran reiterated support for Iraq’s national unity, sovereignty independence, national reconciliation, security and stability.
Both countries stressed peaceful dialogue and negotiations to resolve bilateral, regional and international problems, according to the document.
They condemned all manifestations of terrorism and terrorist acts against humanitarian targets, economic centres, governmental facilities and religious sites in Iraq.
They will also seek to bolster and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of oil and gas, implementation of agreed projects and invest in oil and gas fields.
Iraq and Iran will develop their bilateral banking cooperation as per international laws and regulations.
The Iraqi side appreciated Iran’s USD1 billion concessionary loan for supporting Iraq’s national economy in several fields and infrastructure development.
On the international arena, they denounced Israel’s excessive use of force against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives of many civilians. They called on the international community to seek decisively to lift the Israeli blockade on the Palestinian people, to ease their sufferings and woes and to ensure their national legitimate rights.
The Iranian president arrived in Baghdad early Sunday, heading a high-ranking political and economic delegation on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. During his stay here, he met several Iraqi leaders, including the president, his vice-presidents, prime minister, members of political blocs and clergymen.