Iraq’s National Coalition Chief calls for opening opportunities for Iranian companies, similar to Turkish ones

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Acting Chairman of Iraq’s National Coalition, Ibrahim al-Jaafary, has called for opening opportunities for Iranian companies, similar to the Turkish companies, during his reception on Wednesday of Iran ’s visiting 1 st Vice-President, Mohammed Reza Rahimi and his accompanying delegation.   “Both sides have discussed the most important issues of both countries, means to strengthen bilateral relations and opening horizons of joint cooperation in different fields and spheres,” according to a statement by Jaafary’s offic, copy of which was received by IraqiNews.com news agency.   The statement quoted Jaafary as having confirmed “necessity that the visit be a step forward on the course of developing relations between Iraq and Iran,” saying that: “Iraq is looking forward to strengthen political and economic relations with neighboring Iran, and necessity to benefit from its experiences and opening the field of investment for Iranian companies, similar to the horizons opened for Turkey in different fields.”   Rahimi, on his part, has said that “his visit for Iraq has taken place to confirm persistence and readiness of his country to achieve cooperation in all fields, in order to express our real intentions and to stretch arms of assistance for the Iraqi people, in order to put an end for all obstacles that stand in the way of development and reconstruction of Iraq.”   “The meetings that joined us together with the Iraqi leaderships had been fruitful and constructive, and shall boost horizons of joint cooperation between both countries,” Rahimi said.   Iran’s 1 st Vice-President, Mohammed Reza Rahimi, had arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday, leading a high-level delegation, comprising ministers, businessmen and investors, where he attended the signing of several agreements and Memos of Understanding (MoUs) between both countries in the fields of health, culture and education, communications, post, sciences and technology, with the presence of Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki.   SKH (FT)   525