Iran, Iraq strengthen ties

Iran's Minister of Industries, Mines and Commerce, Mehdi Ghazanfari called for expansion of bilateral trade cooperation with Iraq during a meeting with three visiting Iraqi ministers on Monday. The two sides also called for finalizing Tehran-Baghdad trade agreement in near future, according to Iran's (IRNA) News Agency. The Iraqi side called on Iranian investors to invest in various Iraqi projects. On Iran and Iraq historic, cultural and religious commonalties, Ghazanfari said the two sides attach great importance to enhanced mutual cooperation. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Meleki, heading a political and economic delegation, arrived in Tehran on Sunday.