Iraqi Ambassador to Russia Abdul Karim Hashem Mustafa said on Sunday that Baghdad and Moscow share longstanding relations and significant potential for expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in energy, oil, gas and electricity.
Mustafa said diplomatic ties between Iraq and the former Soviet Union were established in 1945 and have since developed through friendship and cooperation agreements, as well as high-level reciprocal visits, particularly during the 1970s.
He noted that economic cooperation has long been a key component of bilateral relations, with Russian companies having a longstanding presence in Iraq’s oil sector dating back several decades.
The ambassador said the Iraqi-Russian Joint Committee remains one of the main mechanisms for strengthening cooperation. The committee includes representatives from several ministries on both sides and addresses agreements and issues of mutual interest.
He said the committee is expected to convene in Moscow in December, adding that coordination with the Russian side is continuing to finalize the date, with discussions also underway on taking advantage of the Iraqi foreign minister’s presence in Moscow.
Energy remains a central area of cooperation, Mustafa said, pointing to the activities of major Russian companies in Iraq, including Rosneft and Gazprom. He also noted that Lukoil left the West Qurna-2 oilfield amid the impact of sanctions imposed on Russian companies.
Iraq, he added, is working with the Oil Ministry to develop suitable mechanisms for maintaining cooperation with Russian firms while taking into consideration US and European sanctions imposed over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Mustafa also said Russia has extended an invitation for Iraq to participate in meetings of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, stressing that Iraq could benefit from Russia’s extensive experience in gas production and exports.
He further highlighted opportunities for cooperation in the electricity sector, saying Iraq needs to expand its power-generation capacity and could draw on Russia’s long experience and the expertise of Russian companies that have previously operated in Iraq.
