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According to a report from Press TV, Iran and Iraq's Kurdistan may agree a visa waiver scheme to facilitate cross-border travels as part of a program of increased cooperation between the two sides.

To facilitate cross-border travel for both Iranians and the citizens of the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq, and to encourage trade and cultural interchange for both sides, Iran and the Kurdistan Regional Government are considering a scheme to eliminate any visa requirements for travelling purposes, Press TV's correspondent in Erbil reports.

Iraqi Kurdistan's Prime Minister Barham Salih visited Iran recently in an effort to further enhance bilateral relations.

On 10th Jan, Salih met with Iranian Parliament Speaker, Ali Larijani, and other senior Iranian officials for talks aimed at boosting political and economic ties between the two sides.

According to the report from PressTV, during the meeting, he also expressed gratitude for Tehran's efforts in establishing peace and security in Iraq.

(Source: PressTV)

Today's session of United Nations Security Council, which led to the crucially important easing of restriction on Iraq, was chaired by the US Vice President, Joe Biden (pictured). The following is the text of the statement issued from his office, including full details of the decisions made by the Council.

Today marks an important milestone in the restoration of Iraq’s normalized ties to the international community.  The UN Security Council, in a special session chaired by Vice President Biden, took significant steps to return Iraq to the legal and international standing it held prior to the 1990 invasion of Kuwait with the passage of three resolutions.  Additionally, the Security Council issued a Presidential statement reaffirming the Security Council’s commitment to Iraq and support for UNAMI, welcoming Iraqi progress and reintegration into the region, and encouraging Iraq and all regional states to deepen and broaden their relationships.

With today’s action by the Security Council the United States and the international community are keeping their commitments to the Government and the people of Iraq. The resolutions adopted today by the Security Council will lift several longstanding Chapter VII restrictions on Iraqi trade and activity.

The three Security Council resolutions passed today are Resolution 1956, which terminates the UN supervised arrangements for the Development Fund for Iraq on June 30, 2011; Resolution 1957 which ends restrictions related to civilian nuclear cooperation placed on Iraq after the first Gulf War; and Resolution 1958, which ends the residual activities of the Oil for Food program.

Despite hardships, Iraq has made tremendous progress over the past few years and today is a far safer, more secure, and economically stable country. The United States urges Iraq’s neighbors and the international community to work closely with Iraq to resolve remaining outstanding Chapter VII issues, particularly outstanding issues between Iraq and Kuwait.