Russia, Iraq negotiate, sign defense contracts at professional level - Bogdanov
MOSCOW. May 21 (Interfax) - Talks are underway over Russian arms supplies to Iraq, says Russian Deputy Defense Minister Mikhial Bogdanov, who is also the Russian President's Special Envoy for Africa and the Middle East.
"These matters are being discussed at a professional level, between our relevant government departments: the defense ministries, the federal agencies for military-technical cooperation. This work is carried out with our Iraqi partners on an ongoing basis. Some contracts get signed," he told reporters on Thursday.
Russia has been paying very close attention to Iraq's weapons needs because Moscow understands that "it is necessary to support the Iraqi authorities in their fight against terrorism," Bogdanov said.
The fight against terrorism within Iraq requires a consolidation of international, as well as national efforts, he said. "And we are in fact ready to actively help in the fight against terrorists both in Iraq and in Syria and in the region as a whole. We are doing so on the bilateral basis, in contact with the official authorities both in Baghdad and in Damascus," the deputy foreign minister said.