Iraqi PM to visit Moscow on Thursday

Iraq-Russia BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will visit Moscow from April 9-11 to discuss prospects for resuming Russian oil contracts in Iraq, the official spokesman for the Iraqi government said on Tuesday. “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,” Ali al-Dabagh said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “A high-profile delegation will accompany al-Maliki on his visit, including foreign, defense, electricity ministers as well as a group of oil experts,” he added. “The premier will hold meetings with Putin and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on mean to bolster bilateral ties in political and economic domains,” he explained. 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