Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani emphasized the critical importance of the Basra-Shalamcheh railway project in enhancing Iraq’s ability to accommodate travelers from Iran and Central Asian countries. The initiative aims to improve transportation infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement detailing Al-Sudani’s meeting with Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadiq, along with her delegation. The meeting, which included the presence of Iraq’s Minister of Transport, other ministry officials, and the Prime Minister’s Advisor, focused on reviewing the bilateral relations in transportation and infrastructure. Discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in railway connectivity and transit between Iraq and Iran through the Strategic Development Road Project.

Al-Sudani underscored the need for these projects to be comprehensive, with a central aim of linking the region to Europe in collaboration with various countries globally. He reiterated the importance of the Basra-Shalamcheh railway project in boosting Iraq’s capacity to manage increased travel, particularly during significant events like the Arbaeen pilgrimage, thereby facilitating the transportation of pilgrims.

Farzaneh Sadiq conveyed greetings from the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Al-Sudani. She expressed her admiration for Baghdad’s ongoing reconstruction, building, and development efforts, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation between Iran and Iraq across multiple sectors.