Pres. Rouhani: Iran-Iraq ties exceptional in region

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): President of the Islamic Republic of Iran stressed that all the government is trying to do is support production and create jobs for the young.

Speaking on Sunday at Shohadaye Kangan Stadium in Bushehr Province, President Hassan Rouhani said, “We had a year full of economic problems, but people proved the enemies that they are present at every stage, and the government will support employees who receive fixed salaries”.

“The people of Iran proved it to the enemies that despite problems they make, they cannot force the great Iranian nation into surrender, and this brave nation has been, and will be, strong against the conspiracies of the enemies,” he said.

He added, “In next year’s budget, which was approved by the Majlis, we have decided to increase salaries for employees by 20 per cent, which will be more than 20 per cent for workers”.

Stating that this year’s inflation has been more than 20 per cent, Dr Rouhani said, “We could not increase salaries more than this, but we hope that we can make conditions better and more stable next year with people’s help”.

“We should improve conditions for the increase of crops and industrial products, as well as services with reasonable price,” he said.

The President also added, “Employment for the youth is another important issues focused by the government. With the attempts made, employment rate was good in 1397, but we still have over three million unemployed people”.

Dr Rouhani added, “Finalising the biggest gas condensates refinery last month and opening 2 refineries in Hormozgan Province have added 50 million litres of petrol to our production”.

He stressed, “Despite pressures from the side of the United States, the Zionists and some reactionary countries in the region, we will develop relations with our dear neighbours”.

Referring to his recent visit to Iraq, the President added, “Relations between the Iranian and Iraqi governments and nations is exceptional in the region and the world”.

On the agreement to issue free visas for travel between the two countries, he said, “Nearly 7 million people travel between Iran and Iraq and issuing free visas will contribute greatly to this”.

We want to have close relations with our neighbours, said Rouhani, adding, “We are willing to have good relations with all our neighbours; if there is a problem with some neighbours, it is them who have started it”.

“We have good relations with our neighbours like Qatar, Oman, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan and we do not care if they are Shia or Sunni, south or north of the Persian Gulf,” he said.

................................................
End/ 257