Time has come for new phase of Iraqi-Russian relations, Iraq’s PM says.

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has said during his reception in Baghdad on Tuesday, of the visiting Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, that time has come for a new phase in Iraqi-Russian relations, in such a way that serves the joint interests of both friendly countries and peoples.   “Prime Minister Maliki has called for the expansion of joint political and diplomatic cooperation between both countries on all international levels and the activation of the work of the Joint committee,” a Maliki statement said, also quoting him as saying that the bilateral relations between Iraq and Russia were not new.   Maliki, the statement pointed out “has also called on the Russian companies to work and invest in Iraq , reiterating that all circumstances were ready for their activity in Iraq .”   Lavrov, the statement pointed out, had handed over a written message from Russian President, Vladimir Putin to Prime Minister Maliki, on the Joint relations between the two countries.   “Lavrov has confirmed during the meeting that “the relations with Iraq represent a priority of Russia’s policy in the Region; and Russia strongly supports the efforts of the Iraqi government to support peace and stability on all levels, as well as our military cooperation and the armament of the Iraqi Army, along with the activation of the joint committee and the expansion of cooperation on all levels, including the industrial and agricultural fields,” the statement concluded.   SKH (RT) . 462