Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will discuss the strengthening of business partnership in the fuel and energy sector during his visit to Iraq on February 5-6, a statement issued by the Russian MFA on Sunday reads.
"The current state and prospects for increasing business partnership in the fuel and energy sector will be analyzed. Lukoil, Gazprom Neft, Bashneft and Rosneft are implementing a number of major projects in Iraq," the diplomatic mission said.
Lavrov will meet with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani and Chairman of the Council of Representatives (Parliament) Mohammed al-Halbousi, as well as hold talks with Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein during the visit. "During the upcoming contacts special attention will be paid to the main directions of progressive development of multifaceted Russian-Iraqi ties, including expansion of political dialogue, activation of trade and economic, military-technical and cultural-humanitarian cooperation," the diplomatic office pointed out.
Trade volume
The Russian foreign ministry noted an increase in trade between the countries: in 2021 it increased by 2.2 times compared to 2020 - from $127 million to $282 million, and in January-November 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 trade turnover grew by 47.5% - from $258.5 million to $381.4 million.
During the visit, as added in the MFA, it is planned to discuss ways to consolidate the positive dynamics of bilateral trade, including through the implementation of relevant decisions of the Russian-Iraqi commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, the ninth meeting of which was held in August 2022 in Moscow.
An important part of the bilateral agenda will also be the discussion of plans to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors such as industry and agriculture.
The situation in Iraq and regional issues
According to the Russian MFA, due attention will be paid to the prospects of development of the situation in Iraq itself, especially in the context of forming a new coalition government of the country. The Russian side will express its support for the efforts of the cabinet headed by Mohammed al-Sudani to ensure stability and security in the country.
The Russian foreign ministry noted that Russia and Iraq are interested to compare notes on topical regional problems. "Partnership interaction between our countries is a significant factor that has a positive impact on the processes taking place in the Middle East and North Africa," they pointed out there.
The sides will exchange assessments on the state and prospects of the situation in Syria with a focus on the tasks of promoting a comprehensive political settlement in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution, promoting the post-conflict reconstruction of the country and stepping up international humanitarian aid to Damascus, the ministry added. "The situation in the Persian Gulf zone will be discussed in detail, including in light of Russia's proposed concept of ensuring collective security there," the ministry said.
Balanced position of Iraq
"Under unprecedented pressure from Western countries, the Iraqi side takes a balanced position with regard to the special military operation conducted by the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine," the Russian diplomatic ministry stressed.
The Russian foreign ministry sees Baghdad's refusal to join the illegal anti-Russian sanctions as a confirmation that bilateral ties are not subject to opportunistic fluctuations against the background of changes in the geopolitical situation.
"We view Lavrov's upcoming visit to Iraq as an important part of a sustained effort to promote multifaceted interaction with our traditional partners in the Middle East. We believe that this is in the common long-term interests of ensuring peace, prosperity and stability in this strategically important region," the diplomatic mission concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS