The Russian Ambassador: Iraq is a major partner in the region

Baghdad - INA - Harith Al-Abadi

 The Russian ambassador to Iraq, Maksim Maksimov , confirmed that Iraq is a major partner in the region, while indicating that Russian companies are considering contributing to rebuilding its infrastructure.

 In an interview with the Iraqi News Agency (INA),Maksimov said, "For Russia, Iraq is a major partner in the region," noting that "Moscow attaches great importance to expanding traditional cooperation for mutual benefit."

 He added, "Between the two countries a large number of points of convergence in viewpoints regarding ways to solve major international and regional problems," noting that "the main field in bilateral trade and economic cooperation is the oil and gas sector, where Russian and Iraqi oilmen have acquired enormous long-term experience,"  The total Russian investments in this sector so far exceed 13 billion dollars. "

Maximov continued, "There are great possibilities for the development of bilateral cooperation in other sectors, and work is underway through the Joint Russian-Iraqi Committee for Trade and Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which aims to diversify economic ties in other directions," stressing that "this cooperation is currently focused on opening  The Iraqi market for Russian companies specialized in building power stations, geological exploration, and exporting wheat and other agricultural products

Oil cooperation

 Maximov affirmed that "Russian oil companies such as (Zarubеzheft), (Stroitransgaz), (Tatneft), (Soyuzneftegas) and (Ariel Neftegaz Service) are working with effective steps towards resuming their work and entering the Iraqi oil and gas market, indicating that" Lukoil  It carries out active geological exploration work in the "Block-10" field, which, according to initial estimates, is one of the largest fields explored in Iraq during the past twenty years.

 He added that "despite the drop in oil prices and the invasion of the Corona virus, companies such as Gazprom - Neft), (Bashneft) and (Rosneft) continue to participate in the implementation of oil and gas production projects and fulfill their contractual obligations."  It also sets plans to develop partnership relations with an emphasis on long-term cooperation. "

 With regard to coordination between the two countries, the Russian ambassador said: "Russia and Iraq have always emphasized the necessity of continuing to coordinate dealing between all participating countries within the framework of" OPEC + "and in this path, the two countries participate in regular consultations to prepare for the subsequent measures.

 He stressed that "despite the imperative to amend the terms of the contract and the field development plan, taking into account the current reality, the company tends not to reduce the planned size of investments, work functions and programs aimed at social and economic support for the local population."

Infrastructure Reconstruction

 The Russian ambassador explained that "for a long time, the issue of expanding the participation of Russian companies in the implementation of non-oil sectors projects in Iraq has been linked to ensuring the security situation, and after moving forward in this field, new promising prospects have opened for Russian companies," noting that "at the present time Russian companies are studying  Such as (Rushydro), (Rosgeo)  and (Russian Railways) and others possibilities of their presence in joint projects in areas such as rebuilding water facilities, developing railway infrastructure and geological survey, as well as re-producing solid minerals, hydrocarbons and water resources.

Security cooperation

 With regard to security cooperation and combating terrorism, the Russian ambassador said, "Russia is actively cooperating with Iraq, including in the military-technical field," stressing that "strengthening the security institutions of Iraq is an important issue with regard to combating terrorism, and that the Russian side, according to the agreed timetables, has undertaken  By providing Iraq with a wide range of the latest models of military aircraft, such as the (Su-25) attack aircraft as well as the multipurpose helicopters (Mi-28) and (Mi-35).

 He added that "these supplies were carried out during the most difficult period of Iraq’s conflict with the terrorist gangs of Daesh, when the Iraqi army was in dire need of these weapons," noting that "as a result, all the Russian military equipment and ammunition requested by Iraq were transferred to the Iraqi side as soon as possible."  A possible time, and this made it possible to deliver an overwhelming blow to the terrorists and bring victory to the terrorist group in Iraq.

 Maksimov continued, "The main purpose of the Quartet Information Center's work is to exchange information in the current time system and coordinate actions between the Russian, Iraqi, Iranian and Syrian military in order to maximize the effective detection and liquidation of Daesh gangs. 

The Russian ambassador also expressed gratitude and thanks to the Iraqi High Political Command and the Supreme Military Command for praising the work of the center.

Cooperation in the health field and confronting Corona

 The ambassador indicated that "increasing the number of Iraqi travelers to Russia in order to receive treatment and diagnosis in Russian medical institutions is one of the priority tasks to enhance cooperation in the health sector," stressing that "in this context, the possibility of concluding direct agreements between the Iraqi Ministry of Health and Russian medical organizations is being studied in order to facilitate all  "The necessary procedures needed by Iraqi patients. The two sides are also discussing a draft memorandum of understanding between the two concerned ministries, which aims to improve the legal basis for cooperation in this field."

 He pointed out that "the Iraqi side is conducting active negotiations with Russian companies (Khimrar Pharma), (R-Pharma) and (Biocad) on the issue of implementing the purchase of modern medicines that they produce, such as (Avifavir), (Artlegia) and (Elsera) to treat Corona virus.  , As well as to prevent the development of complications, "noting that" these drugs have succeeded in clinical tests in Russia and have been introduced in industrial production, and their activities have been proven and included in the list of recommendations of the Russian Ministry of Health for the prevention and treatment of Corona virus. "

 He noted that "the scientists of the Russian National Research Center in Epidemiology and Microbiology invented a vaccine against the Corona virus and completed clinical trial procedures, and it is scheduled that the population of Russia will be vaccinated in the near future."

Cultural cooperation

 Maksimov pointed out that "Russia can participate in the restoration and maintenance of cultural heritage sites in Iraq, especially since the Russian administrative cadres are distinguished by possessing the necessary competencies and rich experience to carry out similar work, similar to the works carried out by Russian experts in Syria," expressing "Russia's readiness to study the relevant proposals with the Iraqi side. "

 Maksimov emphasized that "sending the combined archaeological mission to the ancient Dahila area in the Dhi Qar Governorate and Tal Wajif near the Iranian border has become an important event in the Russian-Iraqi cultural life. This mission was carried out in 2020 for the first time in 35 years and Russian scientists were able to conduct excavations and research in  Iraq, "indicating that" during the archaeological work, many different artifacts were collected and a preliminary agreement was reached with the Iraqi partners regarding the transfer of these pieces to Russia to remain for a certain period for the purpose of conducting further research in Russian laboratories, and in the future for the purpose of their temporary display in Russia. "

 He pointed out that "a protocol is being prepared for cooperation between the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities for the period 2020-2022," explaining that "the two parties are currently agreeing on a draft of this document, which includes principles of cooperation in the fields of libraries, cinematography, theater and folk arts and museums affairs."

 He added, "Among other things, work is underway to develop a memorandum of intent between the State Hermitage Museum in Saint-Petersburg and the Iraqi National Museum," noting that "this document will organize bilateral cooperation in areas such as holding joint exhibitions, archaeological excavations and other matters.  The purpose of signing this document is to develop relations and enhance cooperation between Russia and Iraq in the field of culture, as well as to ensure interaction on the preservation of cultural heritage and the protection of archaeological sites. "

Scholarships

 The Russian ambassador said, "Cooperation in the field of education is one of the priority areas for mutual interaction between the two countries," noting that "there are about 4 thousand Iraqi students studying in Russian universities."

 He pointed out that "the Russian government annually provides 140 scholarships to Iraq," stressing that "Russian universities are ready to increase the number of places for Iraqi youth and intensify work in this direction, and it has been confirmed in the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of higher education, scientific, practical, technical and innovative activities."  Signed in September 2019.

 He stated that "this document provides for the implementation of projects that contribute to the development of higher education, including in the framework of international programs. It is planned to develop direct partnership connections between scientific and educational institutions and conduct joint seminars and forums," noting that "the exchange of experiences in the field of education is still continuing  Despite the outbreak of the Coronavirus, Saint Petersburg State University recently launched an educational project entitled (Knowledge at Home) which consists of a series of webinars for teachers of the Russian language as a foreign language as well as students studying the Russian language.

 Maksimov added, "In the framework of developing cooperation between universities, a cooperation agreement was signed between Salahaddin University in Erbil and Moscow State Linguistic University in 2018," indicating that, "thanks to this agreement, the first group of Russian students studying Kurdish and Arabic languages (6 persons) was trained.  In the year 2019-2020 in Erbil.Baghdad - INA - Harith Al-Abadi

 The Russian ambassador to Iraq, Maksim Maksimov , confirmed that Iraq is a major partner in the region, while indicating that Russian companies are considering contributing to rebuilding its infrastructure.

 In an interview with the Iraqi News Agency (INA),Maksimov said, "For Russia, Iraq is a major partner in the region," noting that "Moscow attaches great importance to expanding traditional cooperation for mutual benefit."

 He added, "Between the two countries a large number of points of convergence in viewpoints regarding ways to solve major international and regional problems," noting that "the main field in bilateral trade and economic cooperation is the oil and gas sector, where Russian and Iraqi oilmen have acquired enormous long-term experience,"  The total Russian investments in this sector so far exceed 13 billion dollars. "

Maximov continued, "There are great possibilities for the development of bilateral cooperation in other sectors, and work is underway through the Joint Russian-Iraqi Committee for Trade and Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which aims to diversify economic ties in other directions," stressing that "this cooperation is currently focused on opening  The Iraqi market for Russian companies specialized in building power stations, geological exploration, and exporting wheat and other agricultural products