TEHRAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Iran and Iraq said on Monday that they were "seriously intended to develop strategic

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (front L1) and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (front L2) inspect the honour guards in Teheran, capital of Iran, Nov. 21, 2005. (Photo: Xinhua)

relations in all fields".

   The statements came after a closed-door talks between Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and his Iranian counterpart Mahmud Ahmadinejad who earlier held a formal welcome ceremony at the presidential palace for Talabani.

   "I am here to further develop the history-honored relations between the two countries. I also come to thank the Iranian government and nation for their sincere help to Iraq," said Talabani who arrived in the Iranian capital on Monday on a three-day official visit to the once-hostile neighboring country.

   Talabani hoped that Iran could help Iraq crack down on the rampant insurgency.

   For his part, Ahmadinejad stressed the independence and freedom of Iraq, promising that Iran would help Iraq with all efforts to reach those goals because it considered Iraq's freedom and sovereignty as its own.

   Defining Iraq as a friendly and brotherly country, the Iranian president said that the allegations made by the United

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (front L1) and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (front L2) inspect the honour guards in Teheran, capital of Iran, Nov. 21, 2005.(Photo: Xinhua)

States and Britain that Iran has interfered in Iraq's internal affairs would never affect the positive trend in bilateral relations.

   Leading a high-ranking political and economic delegation, Talabani was welcomed by Iranian Minister of Industries and Mines Ali-Reza Tahmasbi at Tehran International Mehrabad Airport, the official IRNA news agency reported.

   The Iraqi president is scheduled to meet with Iranian Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei, President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

   During a meeting with Mottaki, Talabani extended his thanks to the Iranian government for its "assistance to Iraq both in the past and at present and for their efforts to further broaden bilateral political, cultural and economic cooperation", according to a statement of the Iranian foreign ministry.  

   IRNA said the talks between Talabani and Iranian officials would focus on bilateral relations and developments in the region.

   Analysts said that the two sides would certainly exchange views on ways to stop the current insecurity in Iraq caused by insurgents.

   Talabani's visit came just two days after a visit by Iraqi National Security Advisor Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, during which the two countries signed an agreement on security cooperation.

   "No country, including the US, would dare stop Baghdad from approaching Tehran since Iraq is an independent state," Talabani was quoted as saying by Iraqi TV network.

   "Since Iraq regained independence and sovereignty through elections and in compliance with the international law, the country is free to make its own decisions regardless of the wishes of other countries," he added.

   The downfall of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein paved the way to the normalization of relations between the two former rivals that fought a war from 1980 to 1988, killing more than 500,000 people.

   Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari paid a landmark official visit to Iran in mid-July, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.

   Since then, the two countries have signed several agreements to boost cooperation in economy, defense and security.  Enditem