Iraqi VP: Russia’s substantial political, militarily presence welcomed in Iraq

Iraq wants to strengthen relations with Russia due to the latter's role in solving international issues and strengthening security and balance of power in the Middle East and around the world, Maliki stated.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Vice President stated on Monday that Baghdad welcomes Russian military and political presence in the country.

In a meeting with the Russian upper house speaker Valentina Matvienko, Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi Vice President said that more political and military presence of Russia in Iraq would establish a balance that benefits the region.

Emphasizing on the historically strong relations between Russia and Iraq, Maliki said, “We would like Russia to have a substantial presence in our country, politically and militarily,” Sputnik reported.

Maliki also encouraged Russia to have a greater involvement in the Iraqi affairs, particularly in the energy sector as Iraq needs more investments in energy and trade in the post-Islamic State (IS) era.

“Now the time has come to confide more to Russia in the light of the successes we have achieved in the field of combating terrorism and terrorist organizations," the vice president said.

Iraq wants to strengthen relations with Russia due to the latter's role in solving international issues and strengthening security and balance of power in the Middle East and around the world, Maliki stated.

Maliki, who is also head of the State of Law parliamentary bloc, previously told Sputnik that without the intervention of Russia in the region, “the Syrian government would have fallen, followed by Iraq, the map of the entire Middle Eastern region would have changed.“

 

Editing by Ava Homa