KERMANSHAH -- Iraqi Deputy Trade Minister Fakhri Rishan here on Monday evening expressed hope that Tehran-Baghdad trade and economic relations would deepen in the future.

Before he left the country, he told IRNA at the Khosravi border point that the strategic geographical location enjoyed by Iran and Iraq should encourage efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Terming the talks held with his Iranian counterpart as "fruitful," he stressed that both sides are favorable to an expansion of economic and trade ties. Development of border markets was also a subject discussed by the two sides, he added.

The Iraqi official further expressed hope that grounds would be paved for Iraqi nationals to visit holy shrines in the Islamic Republic.

Rishan, heading an eight-member delegation, arrived here last Tuesday. His one-week visit was aimed at promotion of economic ties with the Islamic Republic.

Iran and Iraq are making efforts to expand their relations in all areas following the 1980-1988 war which claimed heavy casualties on both sides.

In early December, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi called on both countries to respect the 1975 Algiers accord which fixed the countries' joint borders.

(IRNA)