Russia can play a key part in the recovery and development of the Iraqi economy, an Iraqi MP has said.
"Inviting Russia to take part in the reconstruction and development of the Iraqi economy" would be of "huge significance" Hamid Majid Musa told the Iraqi TV channel Al-Mashreq, adding that Russia is a "great power that possesses a powerful economy."
He also said that opening up business opportunities for Russian companies would lead to other countries entering the Iraqi market.
The Soviet Union was one of Iraq's key economic partners for a number of decades, and Soviet specialists were involved in a number of large oil and gas projects. Russia continued this relationship after the split up of the Soviet Union, leaving Iraq only after the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.
A number of Russian energy companies have recently begun moving back into the country, but the lack of a stable security situation has made a large-scale return so far infeasible.
BAGHDAD, January 16 (RIA Novosti)
