BAGHDAD (Ruptly) — Iraqi President Bahram Salih welcomed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in As-Salam Palace in Baghdad on Monday, kicking off the latter’s three-day visit of Iraq.

Rouhani is set to later meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Abdel Abdul Mehdi and will reportedly sign a number of agreements in areas such as energy, industry, agriculture, and transport.

The official trip is aimed at strengthening mutual ties between the neighbouring countries.