On Tuesday, Jul 6, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Qubad Talabani, received the new Russian ambassador to Iraq Elbrus Kutrashev and his accompanying delegation, to address bilateral economic tie between the Kurdistan Region and Russia.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region referred to Russia's role in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, especially the activities of Russian companies, calling for the further development of economic relations between the Kurdistan Region and Russia, while the Russian ambassador called for Russian companies to invest in the Kurdistan Region.

The development of relations between Russia and the Kurdistan Region was also talked over. Qubad Talabani indicated that the relations between Kurdistan Region and Russia are historical and that the goal of the Kurdistan Region is to strengthen those relations.

Moreover, the political situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region was discussed, and Qubad Talabani expressed his concern that despite Kurdistan Region's commitment to the Iraqi budget law the government of Baghdad has not paid the financial dues to the Kurdistan Region.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region called on the Iraqi government to fulfill its commitment so that the two sides can continue negotiations on constructive basis to address all other outstanding problems.

The new Russian ambassador to Iraq, Elbrus Kutrashev, expressed his country's readiness to provide assistance to both the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, noting that he would encourage Russian companies to invest in the Kurdistan Region.

Edited by: PUKmedia/PUKNOW