Russia on Thursday confirmed its support to Iraq in fighting against the Islamic State (IS) militant group which has seized large parts of the country.
Visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin held meetings with top Iraqi officials in Baghdad on Thursday, which concluded with a cooperation agreement to boost bilateral ties in various aspects.
"Moscow can meet the needs of the Iraqi leadership in the fighting against terrorism through the exchange of information, training of security forces and providing military equipment," Rogozin said during a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
He said Moscow will provide such support "if the Iraqi government submitted a formal request for it."
Heading a delegation of about a hundred Russian officials and economic, military and investment experts, the Russian deputy premier said the two sides agreed to boost cooperation in transportation, health care and civil aviation.
The Iraqi foreign minister said the agreement would cover oil, electricity, water resources and industry.
Earlier in the day, Jaafari and Rogozin co-chaired the Russian-Iraqi inter-governmental commission in its meeting in Baghdad between the Russian delegation members and their Iraqi counterparts.
Rogozin, who arrived in Baghdad Wednesday for a two-day visit, also met with Iraqi President Fuad Masoum and Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jubouri.
[Xinhua - globaltimes.cn]
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Russia Cultivating Iraq Market For Jets, Military Hardware ...
ReplyDeleteRussian Deputy Prime Minister Russia Dmitry Rogozin in a visit to Baghdad offered to provide more military aid and step up commercial ties, potentially eroding U.S. influence in the war-torn country.
Rogozin led the largest Russian delegation in years with nearly 100 government and business officials.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said on February 11 that discussions revolved around providing military assistance to defeat Islamic State militants who seized a third of Iraq in 2014.
"We need international support from multiple sources, be it from within the international coalition or outside of it," he said, referring to the U.S.-led coalition aiding Iraq in its fight against IS.
Russia has invested millions of dollars in Iraq's energy sector and last year opened a command center in Baghdad under an intelligence-sharing agreement with Iraq, Iran, and Syria aimed at combating IS.....http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-cultivating-iraq-market-jets-military-hardware-erodes-us-influence/27546773.html
12/2/16