Maliki asserts Iraq’s keenness to develop relations with Russia

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki received on Monday Russian minister of energy, Sergei Shmatko, with whom he asserted Iraq’s keenness to develop bilateral relations, mainly in electricity, oil and arming fields, according to a statement from al-Maliki’s media office. “Al-Maliki received at his office in Baghdad the Russian minister and his accompanying delegation, including a number of Russian experts,” said the statement received by Iraqi News. “The premier reiterated his call for Russian companies to work in Iraq and to contribute in the reconstruction operation,” the statement added. “Iraq has historic relations with Russia and we work to increase cooperation domain and to implement what we have been agreed on during ur last visit to Moscow for the good of the two friendly people,” the statement quoted al-Maliki as saying. For his part, the Russian minister reiterated his country’s support to the Iraqi government for his stability and prosperity. SH (P)/SR 1