The Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Iran, Yasser Abdul Zahra Al-Hajjad, discussed with the Minister of Transportation and Urban Development in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Farzana Sadeq, on Wednesday the issues of bilateral relations, primarily the civil aviation movement between the two countries, and the file of the Khusrawi - Khanqin - Baghdad and Shalamcheh - Basra railways.
The Iraqi ambassador Yasser Abdul Zahra Al-Hajjad said during his meeting with the Iranian Minister of Transportation and Urban Development, according to a statement from the embassy that reviewed by"Video News Agency", We were honored today to meet the Iranian Minister of Transportation to discuss the most important common topics, and a number of fundamental issues that have been raised recently; there are American pressures that have affected the civil aviation movement between Iraq and Iran, and companies providing ground services to Iranian companies that have been subjected to American sanctions."
He added, "We were about to present the mechanisms, issues, and initiatives that could address this crisis under the current circumstances," noting that "the most active ministries in terms of concluding agreements and understandings between the Iraqi and Iranian sides are the Iranian and Iraqi Ministries of Transportation."
He affirmed that "the Prime Minister, through direct communication with the American side, managed to obtain some exceptions, especially regarding Najaf Airport and flights between the two sides, and that flights will resume soon."
He stressed that "everyone is waiting for the search for alternatives to address the circumstances and crises that we all face," pointing to the humanitarian and social dimensions of the crisis, recalling the millions of visitors flocking to the holy shrines, as well as the thousands of students and scholars, the large community, and active trade.
He confirmed, "We have a large number of visitors coming to both countries to visit the holy shrines, and thus they use and benefit from the air movement between the two sides, and we have a large number of students studying here at universities, and there is a large community, and we have economic relations, and the popular relations between the two sides are solid and rooted, and I believe that this decision cannot undermine the depth of the relationship between the two sides."
For her part, the Iranian Minister of Transportation Farzana Sadeq confirmed that "the state of Iraq is a friendly and sisterly country to us, and this is extremely important, as it has been proven time and again, and it has not been hidden from the peoples of Iran and Iraq, but the whole world is aware of the extent of the connection between these two countries and how their hearts beat for each other," explaining that "this connection is closely related and deep, and it is impossible for other countries that are thousands of miles away from the civilization and bonds and shared culture between these two countries to create a division between them."
The minister expressed her great happiness, indicating that she is "very pleased that the appointed ambassador is fully conversant with Iranian culture and government and popular affairs in Iran, which in itself is reassuring."
Regarding major strategic projects, the minister sent positive messages, confirming that she is "confident that the issues discussed, whether regarding the Khusrawi railway to Khanqin and Baghdad, or the Shalamcheh - Basra railway, as well as land connectivity between the borders or the air routes between the countries, are continuously progressing."
The minister concluded her affirmations by pointing to the aviation crisis, saying: "There were also topics regarding flights, and considering the follow-ups being conducted by both countries, the flight problem will be resolved as soon as possible."