Iran supports an independent, secure, stable and progressing Iraq, said First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi on Thursday.

His remarks were made during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri la-Maliki.

The press conference was held at the end of a ceremony held to see off the Iraqi premier at the Presidential premises.

"Iraq's security is the security of Iran and that of the region," Davoudi said stressing, Tehran "condemns enemies' plots to sow discord between the two neighboring states (Iran and Iraq) by creating sectarian disputes and fratricide."
He added that restoration of peace and stability to Iraq was "firstly based on withdrawal of occupation forces from Iraq and their non-interference" in internal affairs of that country.

"And secondly, it depends on the authority of the popular government of Mr. al-Maliki," Davoudi added.

Stressing that both Tehran and Baghdad "condemn all forms of terrorism," the Iranian official said, "Iran has had a consistent cooperation with Iraq in the fields of security, political and economic affairs and will continue such cooperation.

"We wish more prosperity and security for the Iraqi people and will spare no efforts to help them to this end," Davoudi said.

During the visit, the two sides' officials called for
implementation of agreements already signed by the two countries, he said.

Iranian contractors have voiced readiness to join construction of infrastructure projects in Iraq, Davoudi said.

Iran and Iraq are determined to bolster economic cooperation and give more active role to their private sectors to execute development projects, he said.

Expansion of political, cultural and economic relations with Iraq is on top of Iran's agenda, he said.

The current visit of the high ranking Iraqi political, economic and parliamentary delegation would help deepen ties between the two countries, he said.

The Iraqi premier, for his part, described his visit to Tehran as a sign of both sides' interests in expansion of all-out ties, he said.

In fact, the visit provided the two sides' officials with an opportunity to review ways of dealing with existing challenges, he said.

Restoration of Iraq's security was among topics of discussion between the two sides, he said.

The two sides' officials also discussed expansion of economic and commercial ties between the two countries, he pointed out.

"During the visit, I felt that the Iranian officials are willing to promote economic cooperation between the two countries," Maliki said.