Lavrov to make return visit to Iraq

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accepted his Iraqi counterpart Mohamed Ali Alhakim’s invitation to visit the country. "The minister has been so kind as to invite me to make a return visit to Iraq and I will be pleased to do it," Lavrov said at a joint press conference following talks between the two top diplomats. Mohamed Ali Alhakim, in turn, pointed to long-standing historical ties between Baghdad and Moscow and Iraqi-Russian strategic partnership. "Our diplomatic relations date back to 1944, so this year will mark their 75th anniversary," the Iraqi foreign minister said. "We will be pleased if you visit Iraq in connection with the anniversary of our diplomatic relations, so that we can hold various political and cultural events, particularly involving our embassies in Baghdad and Moscow," he noted. Read more