The press office of al-kadhimi issued a statement on Sunday afternoon, saying the PM welcomed Zarif and his accompanying delegation in Baghdad, according to the official Iraqi News Agency.

According to the statement, the Iraqi prime minister and the Iranian delegation discussed bilateral ties between the two stated and common interests in various fields.

During the meeting, al-Kadhimi stressed on the importance of bilateral relations between Iraq and Iran and developing it in various fields in the interest of the peoples of the two countries, as well as joint efforts to support the security and stability of the region.

The Iraqi Prime Minister also noted that his country is working to prove its balanced and positive role in building peace and progress in the region in a positive way that will benefit all peoples in the region to have greater stability and prosperity and sustainable development.

For his part, Zarif expressed the Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to have the Iraqi PM to make an official visit to Tehran at the head of a high level delegation in order to open a new phase in cooperation between the two states.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry also confirmed that Tehran is looking for a new phase in relations with Iraq and is moving towards activating agreements between the two countries in various sectors.

Zareef arrived at the Iraqi International Airport on Sunday morning on his fourth visit to Baghdad as Iranian foreign minister, during which he met separately with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and the leader of Fatah Coalition Hadi Ameri.

The Iranian foreign minister is scheduled to meet with President Barham Salih, Head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Fayeq Zaidan, Speaker of the Council of Representatives Mohammed al-Halbusi, as well as Falih Fayadh, the president of the Hashid al-Shaabi Organization and Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the new Iraqi Alliance.

Reporter’s code: 50101