Iraqi President Barham Salih stressed the importance of dialogue between regional countries to ease tensions.
He made his remarks as he received Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov in Baghdad on Thursday. Borisov is heading the Russian delegation of the Iraqi-Russian Joint Committee.
“The region is facing many challenges and coordination is needed to overcome differences and ease tensions through dialogue,” he added according to a statement from the presidency.
He said that Iraq’s openness to its regional surroundings is aimed at consecrating security and stability.
The stability, security and sovereignty of Iraq are integral to security and peace in the region and an important factor in boosting economic and trade cooperation and opportunities for development, Salih added.
For his part, Borisov said Russia supports Iraq’s stability and sovereignty and its efforts to combat terrorism and achieve security.
Russia is looking forward to bolstering bilateral relations with Baghdad on all levels, an Iraqi statement quoted him as saying.
"We attach great importance to the development of the entire range of bilateral ties,” he added.
Talks between Salih and Borisov tackled the importance of strengthening security and defense cooperation. They also reviewed trade, economic and cultural cooperation in a way that achieves the common interests of their countries.
They further tackled the work of the Iraqi-Russian Joint Committee.
Professor of political science at Nahrain College Dr. Yasen Al-Bakri told Asharq Al-Awsat that the region is witnessing considerable activity due to the arrival of a new US administration and the resumption of talks on Iran’s nuclear deal.
Iraq, he said, is part of these negotiations in one way or another and is most affected by the American-Iranian conflict.
