Russian companies ready to return to Iraq - vice-premier

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Russian companies are ready to return to Iraq and Russia is satisfied with security guarantees provided by the Iraqi side, Vice-Premier Dmitry Rogozin said on Friday. The Russian vice-premier made his statement at a meeting of Russia’s delegation with Iraqi Foreign Minister, Co-Chairman of the Russia-Iraq Inter-Governmental Commission Ibrahim al-Jaafari. Russian companies, both state and private, operating in the energy sector, industry or transport, are ready to return to Iraq, Rogozin said. "The only issue is the issue of security provision but we’re quite satisfied with the information, which the commission participants gave us with regard to measures, which the Iraqi government is ready to take," the Russian vice-premier said. The meeting discussed in depth the issues of bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iraq in the energy sector, finances, transport and industry, Rogozin said. Russia and Iraq have been maintaining close political and economic ties since the time of the Soviet Union, Rogozin said. "We have now returned to the need to restore cooperation in full, from cooperation in defense and security to cooperation in the energy sector and the development of the industrial potential," the Russian vice-premier said. Read more