Russia aims to resume business in Iraq (04/03/05)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday instructed the new ambassador to Iraq to work for the expansion of Russian business in the country and vowed to continue to help training Iraqi personnel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

"One of your top priorities is to not only revive and sustain relations between the two states, but also create an environment for Russian business to return to Iraq," Putin told Russia's newly-appointed ambassador to Iraq Vladimir Chamov.

"Russia has always played a considerable and noticeable role in helping train Iraq's personnel and we intend to continue doing so, " Putin was cited by the Interfax news agency as saying.

The president said Russia had a long history of cooperation with Iraq in different areas and will continue to build the relationship "in the most positive manner." Russia aims at restoring and improving the situation in Iraq in all fields, Putin noted.

Russia has traditional relations with Iraq and has been striving for the right of its companies to join Iraq's post-war reconstruction process.

Source: Eastday