Al-Maliki leaves Baghdad for Russia

Iraq-Russia BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will leave Baghdad on Thursday afternoon heading for Russia, leading a high-profile delegation, an official source said. “Al-Maliki will leave Baghdad on Thursday afternoon (April 9) heading for Russia in response to an invitation from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin,” the source told IraqiNews.com news agency. “During his three-day visit, al-Maliki will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Defense Minister Abdulqader Mohamed al-Ubeidi and Electricity Minister Karim Wahied,” he added. Two days ago, Ali al-Dabagh said that Nouri al-Maliki will pay an official visit to Russia next Thursday (April 9) in response to an official invitation from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The embassy of Iraq in the Russian Federation has confirmed the information that the Iraqi prime minister will visit Moscow this week within the framework of his European tour, during which he will visit France and Great Britain. “In the Russian capital, al-Maliki will discuss prospects for the development of economic and political relations with Russia,” a representative of the embassy said.” “Of course, the sides will discuss prospects for the resumption of Russian oil contracts, investments, as well as the possibility of work of Russian companies in Iraq. We plan to discuss how to finish the work which was suspended in 2003,” the diplomat said. SH (S)/SR 1