The Iraqi prime minister has called for forming "a united front" to counter the violent activities of the so-called Islamic State militant group in Syria and Iraq.
Haider al-Abadi, who was on an official visit to Tehran, made the appeal in a meeting with First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri on Wednesday, IRNA reported.
The senior Iraqi official said it was the second time he visited Iran in less than a year since he took office in September 2014, which is an indication of "friendly relations" between the two nations.
He said the main purpose of his trip was to help remove the obstacles in the way of mutual cooperation.
"The two countries can complement each other… to strengthen the roles they play in the region and the world."
Jahangiri described the current level of Tehran-Bagdad cooperation as good, underlining the need to make increased efforts to improve ties and find new areas for collaboration.
"Given the historical and cultural bonds (with Iraq), the Islamic Republic of Iran is seeking to enhance wide-ranging ties at all levels with Iraq," he noted, stressing the both sides' resolve to eliminate the barriers hindering the push for boosting relations.
