Lavrov to discuss fighting terrorism and economic cooperation with Iraqi foreign minister

MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari to discuss the situation in Iraq and Syria and threat from Islamic State group in the region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. The sides will also discuss prospects of economic cooperation between the two countries. Al Jaafari, who headed Iraq’s transitional government in 2005-2006, will pay a working visit to Moscow on March 19-20 on Lavrov’s invitation. It will be Al Jaarafi’s first visit to Russia. "The heads of foreign ministries will pay special attention to the tasks of developing traditionally friendly Russian-Iraqi relations," the Russian Foreign Minstry said. "Russia supports the efforts of the Iraqi authorities and will continue to render practical assistance," the ministry added. "To successfully counter terrorist threats, it is important to facilitate the inclusive intra-Iraqi dialogue with the aim of stabilizing the situation and reaching a national accord in the interests of all Iraqi political forces and ethno-confessional groups of the country’s population," the ministry said. The sides will also discuss in detail "the issues of developing cooperation in trade and investment and strengthening ties in the oil and gas and energy spheres," the foreign ministry noted. Read more