Preparations made for ministerial meeting of Iraqi neighbors

22 October 2008

Amman-Preparations were made for the ministerial meeting of Iraqi neighbors to help beef up national security in Iraq through enforcing border security and contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, IRNA reported on Wednesday.

Experts of Iraq's neighboring states ended their meeting in the Jordanian capital city of Amman on Tuesday night preparing the grounds for the fifth ministerial meeting of Iraq's neighbors.

The expert meeting aimed at discussing Iraqi situation as well as preparing an agenda for the fifth ministerial meeting of Iraqi neighboring states which is to be held in Amman on Thursday.

Iran participated in the expert meeting with a delegation, headed by Deputy Interior Minister for Security Affairs Abbas Mohtaj.

Iranian Interior Minister Ali Kordan will lead a delegation to Amman later on Wednesday.

IRNA reporter in Amman said that Interior ministers of Jordan, Bahrain, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iraq are also expected to take part in the meeting.

The ministers will present reports on implementation of the decisions made in the previous ministerial meeting.

The first confab of Iraq's neighbouring states was held upon Iran's initiative in Tehran in 2004 followed by next meetings being held in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, respectively.

Iraq's neighbors will exchange views on how to fight terrorism, control border areas, prevent illegal cross-border movements and trafficking as well as the ways to promote development projects in border areas.

Iran has allocated some rls 400 billion for promotion of development projects along its borders with Iraq including expansion of border markets and investments by Iranian businessmen.