Officials from Iraq, Syria and Iran met Sunday in Baghdad in order to discuss security, economic and other stressful issues concerning the region.

Representatives of nineteen countries and organizations attended the conference that was opened by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki through a speech. The premier said his harshly criticized cabinet pledged to end the turmoil ravaging the country, “uproot terrorism” and fight through every means the “forces of evil, gunmen and militias.”

“Iraqi institutions nowadays work according to the constitution that was approved by the Iraqi people in a general referendum,” al-Maliki reportedly said.

“Among the major principles mentioned in that constitution are establishing good relations with neighbours, non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, adopting dialogue as a means to solve problems and combating common challenges.”

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari urged neighbouring nations to support Iraq’s drive to re-establish peace and order throughout the strife-torn territory.

Zebari’s demand comes after Baghdad officials repeatedly accused both Syria and Iran of allowing militants to cross into Iraq along with large quantities of weapons and ammunition

The same fact was outlined in a report published by the US, who said arms manufactured in Iran have been used by insurgents in their fight with coalition and local forces, especially in Baghdad.

Tehran officials denied any involvement, saying weapons manufactured in Iran are spread across the globe and could easily reach Iraq. A similar stance was adopted by Syria, who slammed reports that is aiding extremists and reiterated the border with Iraq stretching through the desert area is very hard to control.

Even so, government officials from Tehran and Damascus pledged to increase efforts to halt illegal traffic across the borders, because such practices could bring instability in their own countries and represent a serious threat to the national security.

Moving to financial issues, al-Maliki and Zebari said economic ties with neighbours should be strengthened in order to boost Iraq’s ailing economy.

Envoys from the Arab League and G8 attended Sunday’s meeting, which is the second one of this kind, the first conference taking place in March.