Iraqi speaker of parliament meets Russian delegation to discuss bilateral ties

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Speaker of Parliament Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani met with a Russian delegation on Wednesday, led by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Envoy to the Middle East and North Africa Mikhail Bogdanov, to discuss political and economic cooperation, regional developments, and ways to strengthen bilateral relations.

The talks covered issues related to oil, gas, and energy, as well as the situation in Syria, and challenges facing the region, according to a statement from Al-Mashhadani’s media office.

Statement from Al-Mashhadani’s media office:

Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, met with a high-level Russian delegation on Wednesday, led by Mikhail Bogdanov, the special envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the Middle East and North Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia. The delegation also included the Russian ambassador to Baghdad and several officials.

The meeting covered shared political and economic issues between the two countries, including cooperation in oil, gas, and energy, as well as regional developments and ways to strengthen bilateral relations.

The two sides also discussed the changes in Syria, challenges facing the region, and issues related to Iraq, including Iraqi students in Russia and ways to enhance economic agreements between the two countries.

Al-Mashhadani shared his perspective on the situation in Syria, emphasizing Iraq’s support for the unity of the neighboring country and its respect for the choices of the Syrian people, while reaffirming Iraq’s policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations.

He also listened to Russia’s views on regional developments in general and potential Russian contributions to Iraq in economic and technological fields.