Baghdad, Dec 30, IRNA - Iraqi President Jalal Talebani appreciated Iranian engineers and experts work on building a tunnel in Iraqi Kurdestan.

In a meeting with Iran Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Kazemi Qomi here Monday evening, President Talebani expressed optimism over country's development and growing trend of rebuilding his country and called for Iran's private sector more active participation in Iraq construction and infra-structure projects.

The president said he had visited a tunnel building project in Soleymanieh, Iraqi Kurdestan, and is satisfied with Iranian engineers work there.

A 5.2 kilometer-long tunnel was constructed in two years by Iranian companies in Iraq Kurdestan and will be commissioned soon. The Azmer Tunnel connects two parts of Soleymanieh city.

Referring to the recent economic crisis in the west, President Talebani said, "Activation of economic cooperation between Iraq and Iran is now necessary."

Concerning the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to Iran as well as other high ranking delegations reciprocal visits, Talebani evaluated these visits important and said Iraq needs such relations.

Appreciating Iran's help and cooperation during recent years, the Iraqi president said, "Iraq expects continuation of such help and cooperation."

The ambassador, for his part, presented a report on bilateral cooperation and expressed Iran's readiness for more active participation in Iraq economic and development plans.

... Payvand News - 12/30/08 ... --