FM: Iran Ready to Sign "Zero Tariffs" Deal with Iraq

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced the country's willingness to ink a deal with Iraq to drop customs tariffs between the two countries.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to zero tariff rates between the two countries," Zarif said, addressing an economic forum in Iraq's Southern city of Karbala on Wednesday.

He added that despite the US sanctions, Iran is exporting $2bln worth of gas and electricity to Iraq annually, stressing that the two countries' cooperation in the energy sector can grow if Tehran and Baghdad decide not to allow Washington to impose restrictions and limitations on their trade.

Zarif said 80 Iranian technical and engineering companies are active in Iraq with contracts worth 8bln, and stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys very high capacities to reconstruct the post-ISIL Iraq."

Addressing media upon arrival in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad on Sunday, Zarif said that he was slated to take part in 3 trade meetings in different cities of the Arab country.

Zarif added that he would attend three trade meetings between the economic agents of Iranian and Iraqi private sectors in cities of Baghdad, Karbala and Sulaymaniyah.

The Iranian foreign minister commended Iraq's positive stance on the promotion of ties with Iran, saying the two countries have managed to foil US bids to sabotage mutual relations.

"After (achieving) victory against the ISIL, some countries, including the US, have created certain problems in the way of the two countries' cooperation, but fortunately, they were defused thanks to the wisdom of the two countries' officials," the top diplomat highlighted.

The Iranian diplomatic chief praised the Iraqi government's positive stance on unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States against the Iranian nation and noted that he planned to hold talks with senior officials of the Arab country about ways to further boost cooperation.

source: FARS News Agency