TEHRAN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Iran's First Vice President Parviz Davoudi agreed on Sunday to expand bilateral relation in various areas, the official IRNA news agency reported.

    The "all-friendly ties" between Iran and Iraq will be expanded "without paying attention to the enemies' efforts," Davoudi was quoted by the IRNA as saying.

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki(R) shakes hands with Iran's Vice President Parviz Davoudi before an official meeting in Tehran June 8, 2008. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The two sides also underscored Tehran-Baghdad relations as "amicable and ancient," saying great potentials for cooperation are lurking in different areas, according to IRNA.

    Davoudi said oil production, construction of power plants and establishment of border markets, as well as education, transportation and customs are among areas of valuable cooperation.

    Referring to Iran's interest in Iraq's stability, he said it has always been "a priority of Iran's foreign policy in the past three decades."

    All regional states will benefit from territorial integrity, sovereignty as well as the establishment of security and stability in a powerful Iraq, said the Iranian official.

    Al-Maliki arrived in Tehran on Saturday evening for a three-day visit, the third one since he took office two years ago.

    He appreciated Iran's support and assistance in helping establish security and stability Iraq, saying that Iraq was ready to make use of Iran's "valuable experiences in the areas of politics, economy, culture and defense."

    Earlier on Sunday after his late-night talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, the Iraqi premier also said that his government "will not allow Iraq to become a platform for harming the security of Iran and other neighbors."