Russian-Iraqi intergovt commission could meet in 2nd half of March
MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia and Iraq could hold an intergovernmental commission meeting in March, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said.
"We favor your proposal to hold the next, eighth, session of the commission in Baghdad in the second half of March," Borisov said at a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Alhakim on Wednesday.
Russia and Iraq share much common ground and maintain close cooperation, he said.
"We are keen on swift settlement of the conflict in Iraq and in neighboring Syria, full eradication of the terror groups," Borisov said
For his part, the Iraqi minister said that Baghdad set aside a budget for joint projects with Russia. "This money has been laid down for the next four years," Alhakim said.
He thanked Russia for its military assistance.
"I would like to express our gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia's government and people for providing us with military and security assistance in the cause of destroying ISIL [Islamic State, a terror group banned in Russia] and similar organizations," Alhakim said.