Tehran, Sept 12, IRNA � Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Saturday that as an important country in the region, Iraq now enjoys a democratic structure and over recent years, Iran has always taken the side of the Iraqi government and nation.

Larijani, speaking to reporters after a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Salim Abdullah al-Jabouri , said that Iranian nation and government even under the most difficult conditions and when terrorist moves over recent years targeted Iraq's domestic structure, have helped Iraq on the request of Baghdad.

'All of us, especially countries of the region, should consider the fact that the Iraqi people have been capable of forging unity inside Iraq despite existence of diversified structures and ideologies,' he said.

The top Iranian parliamentarian said the visit of his Iraqi counterpart to Tehran is an honor. 'Iraq is a neighboring, friendly and brotherly country, and the two nations of Iran and Iraq have since long ago had extensive relations,' he added.

He noted that fortunately, close ties exist between Iranian and Iraqi parliaments and 'We have regular and constant consultations, especially among Iranian and Iraqi MPs on different subjects.'

Larijani said talks between him and al-Jabouri focused primarily on promotion of political relations, establishment of sustainable security, campaign against terrorism and increasing volume of commercial transactions.

'I am confident that the visit of the Iraqi parliament speaker to Iran will be successful because outcome of the visit will help betterment of mutual ties and restoration of calm,' he added.

Al-Jabouri, for his part, said Iran and Iraq are cooperate jointly in the region to restore security.

He said, 'Our belief stems from regional data and joint economic and security challenges, especially growth of terrorism in the region, underlining the need for regional countries to mull the issue.'
By IRNA