IRNA � Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Hakim said on Sunday that despite US unilateral economic sanctions, his country insists on economic cooperation with the neighboring state of Iran.

At the end of his detailed talks with the Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, he read out a joint statement on the topics discussed during the meeting to the reporters.

�I had a significant and detailed meeting with Zarif and accompanying delegation. The meeting was a suitable opportunity for exchanging views on various issues such as bilateral ties and regional developments,� he said.

There are historic and friendly relations between the two countries, Hakim said, noting that promoting political and economic cooperation will be in the interest of them.

Mechanism for issuing visas, commercial and pilgrimage visits, multilateral collaboration in the UN, cooperation in fighting terrorism in Syria, the country�s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, supporting Palestine and the need to end Israeli occupation as well as the results of Stockholm talks were among the other issues dealt with during the meeting with Zarif, Iraqi top diplomat said.

Zarif arrived in Baghdad on Sunday at the head of a politico-economic delegation.

He is scheduled to hold talks with President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq Mohamed al-Halbousi.