Russian companies ready to assist in rebuilding Iraq

During a press conference at RIA Novosti on June 26, RF Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko stated that an international conference on rebuilding the Iraqi economy might be held as early as in the autumn of this year.

He reminded that an informal meeting with the same agenda had recently concluded its work in New York. Russian representatives participated in the event. Mr. Yakovenko admitted that the present situation in Iraq was "extremely hard". However, the current authorities failed to present during the meeting any concrete information about necessary assistance.

"Russia stands for an immediate creation of an interim administration in Iraq in order to ensure the future transition toward a legitimate government in that country," underlined Mr. Yakovenko.

He also stated that Russian companies were ready to participate in the post-war reconstruction of Iraq, and some of them had already started working there in close contact with the RF Embassy.

"I believe that we'll be able to evaluate the amount of Russia's contribution pretty soon, taking into consideration the status of relevant existing contracts as part of the overall effort," said Mr. Yakovenko.