Russia intends to reestablish economic ties with Iraq

Russia intends to re-establish its former economic ties with the new regime in Iraq. As a Rosbalt correspondent reports, this was announced today by Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Department Alexander Yakovenko. He pointed out that the Russian embassy reopened in Baghdad yesterday and most of the staff have returned. 'Our diplomatic mission in Iraq has not been interrupted,' Mr Yakovenko emphasised.

He said that Russian diplomats 'now face two main tasks: the first is to provide Russian political presence in Iraq and the other is to help Russian companies re-establish trading relations with the Iraqi government. UN resolution 1483 provides the legal basis for Russian companies to take an active part in the reconstruction of Iraq,' he said.

The ministry spokesman added that Russian business representatives had also flown out to Baghdad together with the embassy staff. 'We think Russian businessmen will have an important role to play in re-establishing economic ties with Iraq,' Mr Yakovenko said.