Tehran-Moscow Cooperation Roadmap Heralds Diversified Ties

Iraq relies on Russian investments to develop non-oil industry sectors in the context of falling oil prices, according to the head of Iraqi-Russian friendship committee.

CAIRO (Sputnik) – A roadmap adopted by Russian and Iraqi officials in Baghdad will open new and diverse areas of bilateral cooperation beyond the oil industry, the head of Iraqi-Russian friendship committee said Thursday.

The roadmap was signed during the first in 8 years intergovernmental commission held in Iraq. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin led a delegation of 100 officials and business representatives in a two-day visit.

"Iraq relies on Russian investments to develop non-oil industry sectors in the context of falling oil prices," Iqbal Abdul Hussein told RIA Novosti.

Hussein noted that the roadmap applied first and foremost to an economic set of industries, "particularly energy, oil, joint efforts to combat the global financial crisis and a sharp drop in oil prices."

"Russia expressed its readiness to cooperative effectively with Baghdad, including in the field of military industry and space exploration," she stressed.

The Iraqi lawmaker argued that a vast and representative makeup of Russian delegates, including economic, military and investment experts, demonstrated interest in diverse cooperation.

Announcing the roadmap’s adoption, Rogozin said Moscow and Baghdad agreed to boost transportation, healthcare and civil aviation cooperation.