[caption id="attachment_90611" align="alignright" width="179"] Iranian President's Chief of Staff Mohammad Nahavandian[/caption]

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President's Chief of Staff Mohammad Nahavandian underlined the need for the further expansion of cooperation between Iran and Iraq in different economic, social and cultural fields.



Nahavandian made the remarks in a meeting with Hojjatoleslam Shahrestani, the representative of Iraq-based Muslim religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Tehran on Friday.


"The two countries (Iran and Iraq) should cooperate in energy and development areas," the Iranian president's chief of staff said.


Nahavandian pointed to the recent visit of Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri to Iraq, and said, "Fortunately the two sides signed agreements on investment and implementation of several joint ventures during the visit."


Shahrestani pointed to the commonalities of Iran and Iraq in different areas, and said, "Iran and Iraq should use their capacities for both sides' development."


On Wednesday, Jahangiri in a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf discussed the latest developments in the crisis-hit country and the region.


During the meeting, Jahangiri exchanged views on most important issues about Iran and Iraq.


"Various issues, including bolstering unity between Shiite and Sunni Muslims and vital need to fight with extremism and deviations were the topics discussed in the meeting," Jahangiri said.


Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, during the 2003 US invasion of the Muslim country.


By Fars News Agency