The Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi and the Iraqi Minister of Communications Mustafa Jabbar Sanad met in Tehran on Monday, exchanging view on expansion of relations in the field of ICT.
Hashemi stressed the extensive potential for cooperation
between Iran and Iraq in the fields of technology and the digital economy, proposing
the establishment of a Permanent Joint Committee on Communications and the
Digital Economy, chaired by the two ministers and coordinated by the deputies
of the two ministries, with the aim of following up and steering the two
countries’ joint programs.
The Iranian minister welcomed the Iraqi delegation and
expressed his appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Iraqi government
and people during his visit to Baghdad in July.
He described the close cooperation between the two countries
in providing services to pilgrims during Arbaeen mourning procession as
valuable and memorable.
Referring to the Iraqi communications minister’s
participation in the 29th International ELECOMP Exhibition, Hashemi said,
“Participation in this exhibition provided an opportunity to become acquainted
with part of Iran’s technological capacities, startup capabilities,
universities and private sector, and can pave the way for a better
understanding of the capacities of the two countries.”
He stressed the need for Iran-Iraq technological cooperation
to move beyond the stage of introducing capabilities.
“Specialized meetings and interactions between the two
countries can produce desirable results only when, beyond introducing
capabilities, they lead to the formation of joint teams and the implementation
of specific and measurable projects.”
Hashemi described the historical, cultural, religious and
economic ties between the two nations as a unique asset for developing
relations between the two countries, saying “These commonalities can usher
Iran-Iraq relations in the fields of communications and the digital economy
into a new phase.”
He said Iran did not define cooperation with Iraq merely as
a seller-buyer relationship in technology or as a one-way transfer of experience.
“Both countries possess valuable capacities, experiences and
capabilities, and an environment should be created for mutual learning and the
generation of sustainable value for the two nations and governments.”
Also referring to the potential for expanding technological
cooperation between the two countries, Hashemi expressed hope that the visit by
the Iraqi communications minister and his accompanying delegation to Iran would
open a new chapter in further developing technological interactions and
cooperation between the two countries.
He proposed the establishment of a Permanent Joint Committee
on Communications and the Digital Economy of Iran and Iraq, chaired by the two
ministers and coordinated by the deputies of the two ministries, to steer and
consolidate the two countries’ joint programs.
Iraq Supports Cooperation with Iran Beyond Routine Matters
Mustafa Jabbar Sanad, Minister of Communications of Iraq,
thanked of Iran for its hospitality and stressed the need to put into practice
the agreements and ideas discussed between the two countries.
Referring to the talks held during Hashemi’s recent visit to
Iraq, he said, “During that visit, it was agreed that cooperation between the
two countries should go beyond routine matters and, through a pragmatic
approach, turn the ideas and proposals put forward into practical measures.”
“We hope that the current visit will also proceed along the
same path,” he added.
Also stressing the extensive historical, cultural,
geographical and social commonalities between the peoples of Iran and Iraq, Sanad
described these capacities as a basis for developing technological cooperation/
“The two countries share deep commonalities in many areas,
and these commonalities can provide a basis for broader partnership and
cooperation in technology.”
Referring to regional developments and the two countries’
shared experiences, the Iraqi minister stressed the existence of a strong
motivation to develop technological cooperation with Iran.
He said, “Iraq is interested in partnering and cooperating
with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of technology and addressing
some of the existing gaps in this area through such cooperation.”
He referred to the areas in which Iraq is interested in
cooperating with Iran, and added, “There are suitable areas for cooperation
between the two countries in the fields of local applications and
service-oriented applications, messaging platforms, applications related to
financial transactions, as well as the development of technological infrastructure.”
Sanad identified cybersecurity as another area of interest
for Iraq in developing cooperation with Iran, adding “Technological
infrastructure, local applications and digital services, and cybersecurity are
among the areas in which Iraq is interested in expanding cooperation with
Iran.”
Referring to the presence of the Director-General of Iraq’s
Post Company in his accompanying delegation, the Iraqi minister also termed cooperation
in the postal sector as another area of interest for expanding interaction
between the two countries.
It was also agreed at the meeting that the deputies and
specialized directors of the Iraqi Ministry of Communications would introduce
the capacities and responsibilities of the areas under their management,
examine specialized areas of cooperation with their Iranian counterparts, and
put forward their practical proposals.