Russian envoy holds talks with Iraqi PM in Baghdad

By Amir al-Saadi

ERBIL, Iraq

Mikhail Bogdanov, Moscow’s special envoy to the Middle East and North Africa, met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi in Baghdad on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by Abdul-Mahdi’s office, Bogdanov congratulated the Iraqi PM on the recent formation of his government.

Bogdanov also conveyed a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin in which the latter called for enhanced relations between the two countries.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the two men discussed prospects for stepped-up bilateral cooperation in the fields of security, economy, trade, investment and energy.

They also reportedly discussed recent developments in the Middle East region.

“Our foreign policy is aimed at maintaining good relations with all countries,” Abdul-Mahdi was quoted as saying during the meeting.

He added: “Iraq is now in the process of recovering [from a three-year conflict with the Daesh terrorist group] after which it hopes to play a more prominent role in the region.”

Bogdanov, for his part, invited Abdul-Mahdi to visit Moscow, while the latter invited Putin to visit Iraq.

The Russian envoy arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday for an unannounced visit the duration of which has not been made public.