BAGHDAD, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday oversaw the signing of 14 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries.
The MoUs cover the areas of the economy, training, youth and sports, cultural and educational exchange, media, communications, free zones, agriculture, natural resources, social security, and chambers of commerce, al-Sudani's media office said in a statement on social media platform X.
Before the signing ceremony, al-Sudani and Pezeshkian held a meeting to discuss bilateral cooperation on border security and in other fields, according to the statement.
For his part, Pezeshkian highlighted the deep bilateral relationship and its impact on regional stability, the statement said.
Both sides condemned Israel's "ongoing aggression" on the Gaza Strip, warned that Israel's behavior will threaten regional security and stability, and jointly called for efforts to stop Israeli "genocide" against the Palestinians.
Al-Sudani and Pezeshkian also held a joint press conference following the signing ceremony, during which al-Sudani noted that the MoUs signed between the two countries on Wednesday and previously will "form a roadmap" for enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Pezeshkian told the press conference that Iran wants "a strong, stable, secure, independent, and peaceful Iraq," with which Iran "will be able to build strong relations."
Meanwhile, according to a statement published by the Iraqi Presidency, Pezeshkian also held a meeting with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, during which Rashid voiced Iraq's willingness to level up bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism and border security and enhance joint efforts in de-escalating regional tensions.
For his part, Pezeshkian said Iran is ready to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance bilateral coordination regarding issues of common interests, read the statement.
Pezeshkian arrived in Baghdad earlier on Wednesday for his first official foreign visit since taking office in July. He is also scheduled to visit the provinces of Basra, Karbala, and Najaf, along with Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. ■
