Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov arrives on working visit to Iraq
BAGHDAD. Feb 20 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has arrived in Iraq on a working visit, in the framework of which he will hold talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.
"Most attention will be paid during the meetings in Baghdad to the issues of enhancing the Russian-Iraqi cooperation in politics, trade, economic, humanitarian and other sectors," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Major bilateral projects in oil, gas, power and energy sectors, which are being developed and implemented, will be discussed and issues of improving bilateral mechanisms of cooperation aimed at stimulating the search and progress of new forms and directions of cooperation will be discussed as well," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
It is planned to exchange opinions on a wide range of international and regional issues and pay special attention to the situation in Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Results of the first two rounds of talks held in the framework of the Geneva II international conference on Syria between the delegations of the Syrian government and opposition as well as further steps to search for ways to stop battle actions and bloodshed in Syria as quickly as possible and to advance a political settlement of the Syrian domestic conflict are expected to be discussed," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Iraq is experiencing considerable negative consequences of the tragic events in Syria and the number of Syrian refugees in the country amounts to hundreds of thousands, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Numerous bandit formations continue to infiltrate Iraq from Syria. A very tense situation exists in the border provinces of Iraq due to which a special operation of the Iraqi security forces and army is currently being conducted there against militants, who seize entire settlements and commit various crimes," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Up to 200,000 local residents have been forced to leave their homes, which complicated the humanitarian situation in the region quite seriously," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Amid such conditions all countries realizing the danger of the expansion of terrorism should show solidarity with Iraq in fighting it, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Russia supports the efforts of the Iraqi government and will provide it with practical assistance," the ministry said.
In order to resist the terrorist threat efficiently, it is necessary to promote a wide inter-Iraqi dialogue to stabilize the situation and reach national accord in the interests of all Iraqi people, including ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
