Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani reiterated his country’s commitment to pay Russian dues to Iraq as part of the Paris Club obligation, and expressed optimism that the two nations could achieve an agreement to pay them.
“We have payment dues in favor of Russia, within the Paris Club debt,” Al-Sudani stated in an interview with “Sputnik” today, Monday: “We are committed to them, and we can obtain an exception to pay them, because failure to pay them reduces Iraq’s credit rating.”
“Russia also has investments in oil and military contracts,” he continued. We hope that in the future, we can reach an agreement on reasonable formulae for paying its dues.”
During his February visit to Baghdad, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein raised the problem of Russian debts to Iraq with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“There are ancient historical relations between Russia and Iraq, as well as links in the military, security, and economic fields,” Hussein said at a joint press conference with Lavrov in Baghdad, adding that “there is an effective role for Russian oil companies in investing and working in the oil and gas sector, including Lukoil.”
He goes on to say, “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-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,” the Iraqi minister said.
