Tehran, IRNA – Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian and Minister of Interior of Iraq Othman al-Ghanmi, in a meeting in Tehran, has discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, the Iranian minister said that in their Tuesday meeting, he and al-Ghanmi talked about ways to tackle dust storm as well as lifting limitations for Iranians crossing into Iraq for Arbaeen rituals.
The two ministers have also underlined the need for maintenance of stability and security including cooperation for the fight against terrorism.
Al-Ghanmi also met with his Iranian counterpart Ahmad Vahidi where they signed two security and pilgrimage MoUs.
After his meeting with Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Tuesday, Othman al-Ghanmi told reporters that the issue of security of the two countries’ common borders, illegal border crossings, drug trafficking and human trafficking and many other issues were discussed in today’s meeting with his Iranian counterpart.
Al-Ghanimi added that COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on travelers between the two countries, and nowadays see passenger flights between the two countries and the visa waiver for passengers entering by flight is effective, that is to say, Iranian passengers who enter Iraq by air do not need a visa.
He continued: “Yesterday, before visit to Tehran, I received an agreement from the Iraqi government and the Prime Minister that 2,000 pilgrims can enter Iraq through crossing borders by visa waiver program.
Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, for his part, referring to the meeting with Iraqi counterpart, said that we talked about broadening of bilateral ties, border issues, and ease of visa restrictions for Iranian and Iraqi travelers.
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency – IRNA
