Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani confirmed his country’s commitment to pay Russian dues to Iraq, as part of the Paris Club debt, expressing his hope that an agreement would be reached between the two countries to pay them.
Al-Sudani said in an interview with “Sputnik” agency, today, Monday: “We have payment dues in favor of Russia, within the Paris Club debt, and we are committed to them and we can obtain an exception to pay them, because failure to pay them reduces Iraq’s credit rating.”
He added: “Russia also has investments in oil and military contracts. We hope that in the future we will agree on appropriate formulas to pay its dues.”
During his visit to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, last February, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov the issue of Russian dues to Iraq.
Hussein said in a joint press conference with Lavrov in Baghdad, “There are ancient historical relations between Russia and Iraq, and links in the military, security and economic fields,” adding that “there is an effective role for Russian oil companies in investing and working in the oil and gas sector, including Lukoil.” “.
He continued, “These companies have receivables from the Iraqi side, and we studied how to deal with these receivables in light of the sanctions imposed on Russia, and to protect Iraqi banks from these sanctions.”
The Iraqi minister had indicated that “the Iraqi-Russian joint committee, which met a year ago, will meet this year in Baghdad to discuss the work of Russian companies and their dues to Iraq.”
burathanews.com
