Russia offers USA cooperation in Iraq restoration

Russia has offered the USA its assistance in construction and restoration works in Iraq, head of the Russian State Construction Committee Nikolai Koshman announced on Monday. Moscow offers "cooperation and assistance of Russian building organizations in works in Iraq," he said at a press conference in Moscow after his meeting with US Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez.

Martinez in his turn emphasized that the two countries were interested in Iraq's social and economic development, "despite certain differences" in approaches to the situation in the country.

Martinez came to Russia on a working visit on his way to Iraq.

According to the US Secretary, the Russian offer can be considered after he returns from Iraq and defines the range of necessary work there.