President Masoud Barzani yesterday met with the Special Representative of the Russian President for the Middle East and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Salahaddin to discuss strengthening ties between Russia and the Kurdistan Region.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bogdanov said his government is keen to build on the historic ties and friendship between the peoples of Kurdistan and Russia. Russia wishes to develop existing relations to include cooperation in trade, the economy and energy, he said. He delivered a letter from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov inviting President Barzani to visit Moscow for further talks on strengthening relations.

Accepting the invitation, President Barzani said the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is also eager to strengthen ties with Russia, adding that there are many areas of potential cooperation between the two sides.

The delegation also met Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani during their two-day visit to the Region.

“We are pleased to have this opportunity to discuss further developing the ties between the Russian and Kurdish peoples,” the Prime Minister said, adding, “It is a symbol of our longstanding friendship that Russia was one of the first countries to establish a Consulate General in Erbil.”

The Deputy Minister said that he was impressed by Kurdistan’s security and stability, as well as the fast pace of development and progress. He said that he would like to see more Russian companies taking advantage of the opportunities available.

Accompanying the Russian President’s Special Representative was the Chairman of the Union of Oil and Gas Producers of Russia and the former Russian Oil Minister, Mr Yuri Shafranik, who spoke about plans by Russian oil and energy companies to consider investment opportunities in Kurdistan.

Both sides discussed the significant developments that have been taking place both within Iraq and in the wider region, with the Prime Minister pointing out that Iraq is now in a state of transition in the face of the political crisis in the country.

“We are committed to the federal Iraq that is delineated in the constitution,” he said. “The ongoing developments in the oil and gas sector continue to be in line with the federal constitution, and we are continuing the development of this sector for the benefit of all Iraq.”

In a separate meeting, the KRG's Head of Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa informed the delegation that the KRG would like to reciprocate Russia’s presence in Erbil, by opening an Official Representation in Moscow.

Deputy Minister Bogdanov responded that the government of Russia is ready to offer what assistance it can to help in the establishment of the KRG Representation Office.

The Russian President’s Special Representative was also accompanied by Russia's Ambassador to Iraq Ilya Morgunov, the Consul General in Erbil Valery Pospelov, and several of his senior staff.

The delegation also attended a meeting with the KRG Minister of Natural Resources, Dr Ashti Hawrami, and other officials while they were visiting the Region.