Maliki: Russia renews business interests in Iraq

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]Erbil, May 12 (AKnews) – After having been absent from the Iraqi business arena since the fall of the former regime in 2003, Russia is returning with large-scale plans to work once more in the country, said the Iraqi Prime Minister on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Nouri al-Maliki said that recent developments in Iraq had renewed Russia’s confidence and raised its interest in a variety of economic sectors.

this is a good step because they previously believed that Iraq lacked sovereignty and was a country of terrorism and sectarianism,” he said, “It is convinced now that Iraq is a stable country and perhaps one of the most stable countries in the region”.

The Iraqi PM said that until now, Russia had participated only in oil licensing rounds and some electricity projects but were looking to return at a much greater capacity.

“They’ve come back with big plans,” Maliki continued, “that include cultural, oil, gas, power plant construction and military projects.”

Maliki said that all of Russia’s proposals were welcome, including their visions of military cooperation.

“…this issue will be left to the Ministry of Defense and it will decide what it needs,” he said.

“Russia played a role in the fields of industry and agriculture,” the PM continued, saying that all of these issues would be discussed at an imminent meeting between officials from the two countries in the Iraqi capital.

“The joint supreme committees of both countries will meet in Baghdad along with a delegation of experts. Each (Russian) minister will speak with his Iraqi counterpart in order to set in motion Russia’s plans

http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/2/238934/