Russia - Iraq bilateral cooperation

War over: Russia back in Iraq



Russia and Iraq are prepared to develop a ‘roadmap’ of bilateral cooperation in all fields, from the energy sector to the humanitarian sphere, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced during a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Nouri al-Maliki in Moscow.

The Iraqi prime minister’s visit at the head of an imposing delegation of representatives of business and the authorities shows Moscow’s and Baghdad’s serious intentions to restore full-scale economic relations after the end of a conflict in that country.

Ten years ago, Iraq was one of Russia’s main trade and economic partners in the Middle East. The situation changed radically after the US and its NATO allies arrived in the region.

Since 2003, Russia’s losses due to the termination of cooperation with Iraq have exceeded $8bln. It seems to be high time to change the situation. Traditionally warm relations between our two countries will promote further friendship, Dmitry Medvedev said addressing the Iraqi prime minister:

“I am happy about our new meeting. Russians value our historical friendship with Iraqi people in spite of the dramatic events in recent years. We continue summit contacts and this will undoubtedly promote further friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between Russia an Iraq. The current visit is part and parcel of this agenda.”

In turn, Nouri al-Maliki stressed Moscow’s and Baghdad’s readiness to develop and consolidate bilateral cooperation:

“Russian-Iraqi relations used to be very close and strong in the past and I am convinced they will continue to be the same in the future. Today, Iraq carries out an active policy of strengthening relations with friendly countries. The Iraqi delegation consists of representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Defence Ministry, the Ministries of Trade, Oil and Energy. All these are potential spheres for cooperation with Russia”.

If we speak facts, the Russian Lukoil company has won a contract for the development of the West Qurna-2 oil field. The contract stipulates reaching an output of 95mln tons of oil a year. The industrial production is due to start in 2014. An international consortium with the participation of Russian Gazprom Neft will carry out the exploration and production of oil in other Iraqi regions. In addition, the sides have agreed on a number of promising projects in electric power. As for partnership in defence technology, this year RosOboronExport signed contracts with Iraq worth over $4bln. Russia is also prepared to develop projects for delivering commercial aircraft to Iraq and training Iraqi personnel.

Even prior to Nouri al-Maliki’s visit, sources in Baghdad pointed out that the talks prove that the Iraqi authorities intend to diversify their economic and political relations and reject US control over their activities.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_10_09/War-over-Russia-back-in-Iraq/

Russia, Iraq sign $4.2 Bln worth of military contracts in H2

Russia and Iraq have signed more than $4.2 billion worth of military contracts in the first half of the year, the Russian government’s press service reports as Russian and Iraqi Prime Ministers Dmitry Medvedev and Nuri al-Maliki are meeting near Moscow to discuss ways of boosting and diversifying bilateral cooperation.

The Iraqi delegation comprises senior foreign and defense ministry officials and representatives of the trade and oil ministries – the spheres where, according to Premier al-Maliki, bilateral ties are particularly intensive.

Dmitry Medvedev, for his part, said that Russia valued its traditional friendship with the Iraqi people. “Despite the dramatic developments of the recent years, we have maintained top-level contacts, which promotes mutual understanding between Russia and Iraq,” he said.

Russian, Iraqi Prime Ministers meet in atmosphere of friendship

On Tuesday, Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev met in his residence with Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other Iraqi politicians.

The Iraqi delegation included representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Oil.

“Our two countries’ friendship is a long-standing tradition,” Mr. Medvedev said, “and Russia is going to adhere to this tradition in the future as well. Despite the current complicated situation in the Middle East, Russia and Iraq are maintaining contacts on the highest level. As a rule, there are no misunderstandings between Russian and Iraqi leaders.”

The two Prime Ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East and the two countries’ relations in trade – mainly, in energy.

Iraqi PM invites Russian PM to Baghdad

During a meeting at Mr. Medvedev’s Gorky residence today Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has invited Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Baghdad.

“I would like to invite Mr. Medvedev to Baghdad and I believe that this visit will have a positive effect on the further progress in the bilateral relations,” Nouri al-Maliki has told.

In response Dmitry Medvedev has emphasized that Russia is paying special attention to long-lasting friendships with the Iraqi people. He said that despite the fact that recent years have proved to be rather challenging, they are trying hard to keep in touch both at the top and ministerial levels. He has expressed his confidence that both countries would only benefit from such contacts in the future.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_10_09/Russia-Iraq-sign-4-2-Bln-worth-of-military-contracts-in-H2/

Lukoil starts oil production at West Qurna-2 field in Iraq

The Russian oil company Lukoil has started oil production at the West Qurna-2 oil field in Iraq, an Interfax correspondent reported from the first oil ceremony.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a greeting message to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, which Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich read out at the ceremony, that the launch of this major project by Lukoil is an important step in the development of mutually beneficial practical cooperation between the two countries.

Russian companies "possessing vast experience and cutting-edge technologies of operating hydrocarbon fields are capable of further making a significant contribution to the development of Iraq's rich energy resources," Putin said in his message.

"We reaffirm our willingness to further expand bilateral partnership in various fields and provide assistance to the Iraqi leadership in its efforts toward the country's socioeconomic recovery and ensuring its independence, unity and prosperity. I should point out also that we fully support the Iraqi government's course toward reaching national accord and firmly opposing terrorism and extremism, which are the most serious challenges to security of not only your country but also the entire Middle Eastern region," Putin said.

Lukoil plans to launch the Mishrif Early Oil phase of the project to produce 400,000 barrels of oil per day by the end of 2014. At the present time, the company has drilled 67 development wells and constructed an oil treatment facility (9 threads 57,500 barrels of oil per day each), a 126-MWt gas turbine plant, and a 103-km long export pipeline.

The next phase called Mishrif Full Field Development implies that the production should be increased to 550,000 barrels per day within the next 3-4 years.

After that, Lukoil will switch to developing the Yamama formation (650,000 barrels per day), which should bring the total production at West Qurna-2 to 1.2 million barrels per day (about 70 million tonnes a year). This target should be achieved in 2017, making West Qurna-2 the 4th largest oil and gas project in the world.

The contract is designed for 25 years.

West Qurna-2 contains about 14 billion barrels of recoverable oil reserves, which makes it the second largest virgin oil field in the world. Lukoil holds 75% in the project and the Iraqi government-run company North Oil Company 25%.

Russia will launch Iraq's first post Saddam era domestically produced satellite produced in collaboration with Italian experts.

The satellite called dijla will be launched on the 20th of June,

Iraq's satellite has been launched in Russia


On Thursday the
Iraq Ministry of Science and Technology
announced that Iraq plans to launch its first
satellite for scientific studies, this evening,
from a base in northern Russia.
A three-unit CubeSat, TigriSat, is the first
satellite to be launched for Iraq. Built for
the country’s Ministry of Science and
Technology by Iraqi students working at the
La Sapienza University in Rome, TigriSat will
be used to monitor dust storms in Iraq.
Iraq previously claimed to have launched a
satellite in 1989, however this was
discredited after footage of the rocket
exploding during first stage flight surfaced.
Analysts have also determined that it was
unlikely to have been an orbital launch
attempt in any case.
The ministry said in a statement that “in
spite of all the difficulties and security
events plaguing Iraq, today we will launch
the first satellite, Dajla, at 10:11:11 pm,
according to the timing of Baghdad.”
The statement stressed that “the rocket
launch would be from Aazina space area,
Federal Republic of Russia and aboard the
Dnepr rocket.”
Tigrisat will be deployed from the Italian
UniSat 6, which in turn has been booked for
a launch aboard a Dnepr launch vehicle
operated by Kosmotras.
The statement pointed out that “the rising
moon is 620 km from the ground level and
97.97 degree angle deviation within the
orbit oval compression.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After they start using the satellite I hope they will wake up and purchase several spy satellites from Russia like Egypt did, they're very needed.

Russia to continue helping Iraq to counter terrorist threat

MOSCOW, August 14. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia will continue to contribute to Iraq's efforts to effectively rebuff the terrorist threat, a Foreign Ministry official told ITAR-TASS on Thursday.

"We're closely monitoring the situation in Iraq," the diplomat said. "Despite the difficult situation related to the activity of terrorists of the so-called Islamic State, Baghdad continues to form executive bodies."

On August 11, the recently elected Iraqi president named the new prime minister, but representatives of political forces challenged the move as unconstitutional. Iraq's Supreme Federal Court is expected to clarify the matter.

"Moscow supports the Iraqi political process running in the constitutional course," the Russian diplomat said. All responsible political forces are expected to cooperate, respecting state sovereignty and the strategic goals of national development.

"We're convinced that the Iraqis, in the face of a shared threat, are capable of consolidation and solving the existing contradictions peacefully, within the framework of inclusive national dialogue involving all ethno-confessional groups," he said.

Russia's LUKOIL, Iraq Discuss Joint Geological Prospecting Venture

Russia's LUKOIL oil company and Iraq authorities are considering establishing a joint geological prospecting venture during a meeting in Vienna.

VIENNA, November 26 (Sputnik) — Russia's Lukoil oil and gas company and Iraq authorities are considering the possibility of setting up a joint venture to carry out geological prospecting in Iraq, Lukoil President Vagit Alekperov has announced.

Alekperov and Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Karim Luaibi discussed a number of new projects, including a joint geological prospecting venture, during a meeting in Vienna.
During her visit to Rome, Iranian senior official Massoumeh Ebtekar invited Italian experts and companies to participate in the 14th International Environment Exhibition scheduled next March in Iran.

"The minister supported the idea. A working group will start working on finding a site for the joint project," Alekperov said Wednesday, after the talks.

In May, Iraqi Ambassador to Russia Sharif Muhsin said Iraq was interested in expanding joint oil production and refining with Russia, stressing that Lukoil 'soil production level in Iraq was expected to reach 1.2 million barrels in the near future.

Russia and Iran have a good track record of successful cooperation in the energy sector, including construction of power plants in Iraq.

In November, Russia and Iran signed a deal for the construction of two nuclear reactor units at the Bushehr power plant, using Russian technology. Under the agreement, Russia will also deliver nuclear fuel for the units. The parties also signed a memorandum of understanding on deeper cooperation on peaceful nuclear energy.

Russia's Bashneft Plans Exploration Drilling at Iraqi Block 12 in 2016

Russian Bashneft plans to begin exploration drilling at the Iraqi Block 12 in late 2016.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian Bashneft oil company plans to begin exploration drilling at the Iraqi Block 12 in late 2016, the company said in a statement Monday.

“Currently, seismic data processing and interpretation is underway; the data will serve as a basis for seismic and geological modelling aimed at identifying formations that are potentially oil- and gas-bearing. The start of exploration drilling at Block 12 has been scheduled for late 2016,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the company completed seismic surveys at the block as part of the geological exploration program approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil.

Bashneft began hydrocarbon exploration at the Block 12 following a licensing round in summer 2012.

To implement the project, a consortium was established, with Bashneft owning a 70 percent stake, and Iraqi Premier Oil Exploration and Production company holding the remaining 30 percent.

The geological exploration program at Block 12 is expected to last 5 years, and may be extended for another two years.

The Block 12 is located in the Iraqi southern Najaf and Muthanna governorates. This region is believed to have a high potential for oil production.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/business/20150406/1020527850.html#ixzz3WXhOrWYj

Iraqi PM arrives on Russia visit despite warning of "some forces"



Russia's leadership and Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi will be discussing military-technical cooperation and the turbulent situation in the Middle East

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has arrived on a visit to Russia despite the warning of "some forces" against the trip, he said at the meeting with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday.

"We have arrived in Russia despite the recommendations of some forces to abandon the trip," he said.

"We highly appreciate the relations with Russia and believe that they are promising and our visit directly proves this," the prime minister stressed. "We are set to develop ties in all the areas, including the military and technical cooperation, economic cooperation and the oil and gas sphere," he said.

The Iraqi prime minister congratulated Medvedev and all the Russian people with the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, "the Victory over the fascist and Nazi forces."

He expressed hope that the sides "will be able to gain victory by joint efforts over the new forces that are like those that you have defeated." He explained that these are first of all the terrorism threats.

Kremlin finds Mideast situation worrisome, Putin to discuss it with Iraqi PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi will be discussing military-technical cooperation and the turbulent situation in the region on Thursday.

"It is a good opportunity for exchanging opinions on the situation in the region," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said about the agenda of the meeting due later in the day. "The situation is very turbulent and alarming. Of course, it will be discussed."

According to the Kremlin official the talks will be held first in the narrow format and then in an expanded one. No documents are due to be signed.

While speaking about the current condition of Russia-Iraq relations Peskov noted growing trade, which currently stands at about 1.8 billion dollars.

"Slowly but surely cooperation is being resumed between such fundamental institutions as an inter-governmental commission for trade, economic and scientific-technological cooperation. We cooperate well in the energy industry, too," he said.

As far as military-technical cooperation is concerned, this theme "features on the agenda, too," Peskov avoided disclosing any details adding that this aspect of negotiations would be closed to the media.

According to earlier reports, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is scheduled to hold talks with his Iraqi counterpart, too. Trading and economic cooperation will be discussed, the prime minister’s press-service said.

"In the course of the negotiations Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi will discuss steps to perfect the regulatory basis of bilateral relations, stronger ties in education and culture and other themes of mutual interest," the government’s press-service has said.

so onece again we'll be completely in the dark as to what stuff they're buying and what sort of military technical assistance Russia will give... we already know that there are at least dozens (if not more) Russian advisors in various Iraqi military facilities working on new systems for helicopters, air defence as well as induction of the assembly of MRAPs. What else is hidden from view... we'll only find out in drips from social media in Iraq as well as from Russian Company annual financial reports.

Iraq, Russia Agree to Begin Direct Flights Between Countries

According to minutes taken in negotiations between the countries' delegations, Russian and Iraqi air authorities have agreed to begin direct flights between the two countries.

The minutes were published by Russia's civil aviation watchdog, Rosaviatsia, on Wednesday.

The two countries agreed on seven flights per week in both directions between Moscow and Baghdad, as well as between Moscow and Basrah, the agreement signed in Moscow on May 27 said.

The agreement was signed a week after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said that Baghdad intended to develop cooperative relations with Russia in all spheres.

Following the deterioration of Russia's relations with the West over Ukraine in 2014, Moscow began increasing cooperation with its Middle Eastern partners.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/world/20150610/1023174055.html#ixzz3cfHYRAUr

Finally. There is so much traffic between the countries now it was ludicrous for people to have to transit via Istanbul or even dubai!

sheytanelkebir wrote:Finally. There is so much traffic between the countries now it was ludicrous for people to have to transit via Istanbul or even dubai!

Especially considering they could easily just make flights over the Caspian Sea lol!

Russia May Provide Reconnaissance Aircraft for Baghdad Info Center

Hakim Zamli, the head of Iraq’s parliamentary committee on security and defense, said that Moscow could help Iraq in the fight against ISIL with reconnaissance aircraft and satellite images.

MOSCOW(Sputnik) – Russia may supply the Baghdad Information Center with reconnaissance aircraft and satellite images in the fight against the Islamic State, the head of Iraq’s parliamentary committee on security and defense said Tuesday.

“Russia has reconnaissance aircraft and a powerful network of reconnaissance and satellites, with these all of the countries can attain good results,” Hakim Zamli told RIA Novosti by telephone.

The information center is to include specialists from Russia, Syria, Iran, and Iraq.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150929/1027719599/russia-may-provide-reconnaissance-aircraft.html#ixzz3nB26TVHa

Russia to consider air operation in Iraq if it gets request from Baghdad — lawmaker

Russia’s Federation Council on September 30 voted to empower the president to use armed forces in Syria

AMMAN, October 6. /TASS/. The speaker of the upper house of Russia’s parliament (Federation Council) Valentina Matviyenko believes that Russia will consider the political and military expediency of its participation in an air operation in Iraq, should it get an official request from that country.

"If there is an official message from Iraq to the Russian Federation, we will consider the political and military expediency of our air force’s participation in the operation. There has been no such request so far," Matviyenko told the media after a meeting with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Tuesday.

Russia’s Federation Council on September 30 voted to empower the president to use armed forces in Syria. As the head of the presidential staff Sergey Ivanov said that in Syria Russia would be using only its warplanes against the terrorist organization Islamic State (outlawed in Russia) at the request of President Bashar Assad.

Russia’s air and space force started dealing pinpoint strikes against Islamic State targets on September 30. Its air group consists of 50 jets and helicopters, including Sukhoi-24M and Sukhoi-25 and the newest multi-role Sukhoi-34. Over the past few days Russian planes hit dozens of terrorist targets.

Military officials say Iraq likely to welcome ‘no red line’ Russian airstrikes

See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/military-officials-say-iraq-likely-welcome-no-red-line-russian-airstrikes-1790574154#sthash.dboHZSea.dpuf

I feel, Russia should only keep the option open of striking on behalf of Iraqi govt. The primary objective now is to stabilize Syria and help strengthen the Syrian Govt/military and regain lost territory along with decimating as much terrorists as possible. Once an acceptable level of stabilization has been achieved should the Iraqi theater be handled. US is anyway striking ISIS targets (only the Yanks and God know what they have been striking for the past one year and now) so let them continue with it and help themselves with massaging their ego. An idle US without any bombing role would be more irritant for Russia, so let the US bomb anyone other than the Syrian Army/allies. It will keep both sides happy.
Obama should not be sacrificed and I'm sure Putin has considered this in all his moves. Russian administration knows that regardless of the hostile acts by the Obama administration (Obama regime - if we take Western terminology often used for Russia/Syria/non-US poodle governments) outside of Obama and Kerry there are only mental retards.

Like I said in some other thread some time back, Russia needs to buy time and balanace its acts. I personally would buy time and I feel Russian military needs time, mainly navy needs ships and I'm waiting patiently to see atleast 4 new combatants (11356 and 22350) to get active. Atleast 4 is better than none.

^^ Thing is if Iraq is liberated a huge amount of fighters will enter Syria to help fight terrorists there as they all know if Syria is unsafe Iraq will not be safe.

As for US, they don't do anything, they have no 'strategy' as they often say meaning they don't know if they actually want Iraqi forces to retake it, they probably fear the amount of them who will go to Syria afterwards.

Iraq, Russia Review Military-Technical Cooperation Agreements

The delegation of Russia’s federal service for military-technical cooperation (MTC) that came to Baghdad reviewed the existing deals between Russia and Iraq, according to an Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The delegation of Russia’s federal service for military-technical cooperation (MTC) has reviewed several deals with Iraq during its visit to Baghdad, some of the agreements will be continued while some will be halted due to difficulties, an Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman told Sputnik.

"The participants of the meeting have again reviewed the existing deals between Russia and Iraq, they made a decision to stop implementation of some and continue [implementation] of others. Difficulties which arise from the managerial point of view as well as technical issues were discussed," Tahsin Ibrahim said.

Russia and Iraq has been actively cooperating in various areas, including in military-technical development, oil and investment.

In July, the sides signed an agreement on military-technical cooperation, to aid Iraq in countering Islamic State jihadist group advances in the country.

On Wednesday, Iraqi Parliament Defense and Security Committee Chairman Haqim Zamli told Sputnik that Iraq may turn to Russia for military help in the fight against Islamic State if Russian airstrikes in Syria prove successful.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151013/1028480729/iraq-russia-cooperation.html#ixzz3oTr4YBNg

I imagine the technical issues are completely related to US pressure on Iraq? That would make plenty of sense. I guess if they made more deals together without being in the limelight, they can get a lot done. Maybe sign agreement for MiG's or tanks or something in small batches?

Russian-Iraqi Business Council

The Organization which is intended for facilitating the establishment of business relations between the Russian and Iraqi business communities as well as to contributing to the trade and economic cooperation development between Russia and Iraq

The Russian-Iraqi Business Council was established on December 5th, 2012, under the auspices of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and the Russian-Arab Business Council

http://www.rirbc.ru/en/

Russia supplied Kurdistan and Iraq with equipment used in protection and detection of chemical weapons.







Equipment has been delivered to Baghdad International Airport and will be distributed later.

Source: https://arabic.rt.com/news/797602-روسيا-العراق-حماية-أسلحة-كيميائية/
Translated: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=sr&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Farabic.rt.com%2Fnews%2F797602-روسيا-العراق-حماية-أسلحة-كيميائية%2F

if you invite them, I won't play anymore.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-iraq-chose-between-american-and-russian-airstrikes-in-isis-fight/

sheytanelkebir wrote:if you invite them, I won't play anymore.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-iraq-chose-between-american-and-russian-airstrikes-in-isis-fight/

Why so much frustration? If ISIS is such a horrible satanic entity as Americans aay, why they don't want to fight it together with Russia?

sheytanelkebir wrote:if you invite them, I won't play anymore.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-iraq-chose-between-american-and-russian-airstrikes-in-isis-fight/

Interesting times....this sort of thing would've seemed unimaginable even a few weeks ago