The Significance of the 10th Iraqi-Russian Meeting

The 10th meeting of the Iraqi-Russian Joint Committee was held on the 26th February 2025 in Baghdad, co-chaired by Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Russia’s Minister of Energy Sergei Tsivliev. The discussions heavily focused on the deep historical ties between the two nations and their commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

Minister Hussein emphasised Iraq’s longstanding relationship with Russia, acknowledging its evolution over time. He also highlighted the broad representation of Iraqi ministries and sectors in the discussions, reinforcing the committee’s role in enhancing trade, economic, scientific, and technical collaboration. Minister Tsivliev, in turn, praised the strength of bilateral relations and invited Iraq to participate in upcoming conferences in Russia, a proposal welcomed by the Iraqi side.

A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of several agreements aimed at strengthening ties in various fields, including:

– A Maritime Transport Agreement between the transport ministries of both nations.

– An MoU on Health Cooperation between the Iraqi and Russian health ministries.

– An MoU between the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Russian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

– A Protocol of Understanding between Gazprom and the Iraqi Midland Oil Company.

Minister Hussein highlighted Iraq’s plans to host major international events, including the Arab Summit, and reiterated the importance of cooperation with Russia in key industries such as health and energy.

At the concluding press conference, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties, particularly in the oil and gas sectors. Minister Hussein revealed that major Russian companies have invested approximately $19 billion in Iraq’s energy sector. Discussions also covered the export of oil from the Kurdistan Region to Turkey and broader regional developments. Minister Tsivliev described the meeting as a significant step forward in bilateral relations and confirmed that further agreements are under consideration.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs