Iraq Ambassador visits Tatarstan

To upgrade cooperation between Tatarstan and Iraq to the level of commercial partnership which will serve the interests of both peoples - this was, according to the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Russian Federation, the purpose of his visit to our republic.

The visit started on July 29 from KamAZ, Naberezhnye Chelny. It is explained by the great interest Iraq has in the products of the Kama autogiant (only last year contracts were signed on deliveries to Iraq of 5000 trucks of various modifications to be realized in 2002-2003).

On July 30 in the Kazan Kremlin, the Iraqi Ambassador met with the Tatarstan President. The guest acknowledged his awareness of our oil territories which he visited a few years ago. However his present visit to Tatarstan is the first in his new capacity of the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Russian Federation. The fact that Tatarstan is the first region visited by him is explained by very close and large-scale economic relations of Iraq and our republic. Since 1997, the official epresentation of Tatneft operates in Bagdad, the company actively participates in the Oil for Food program, Tatarstan experts have carried out seismic works in Iraq, there are many joint projects in oil-producing and refining industry, preparation of the oil experts of Iraq. In addition to truck deliveries, KamAZ is going to organize in Iraq the network of its service centres (by the end of this year the KamAZ fleet in this country will make about 3000 cars).

According to the Ambassador, Tatarstan may use Bagdad as a centre for entering the markets of other countries, for example, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Libya etc.

In general, the importance and opportunities to extend cooperation are obvious. M.Shaimiev reminded that Russia has long since cooperated with Iraq - in different political situations, in different years. Within the framework of this policy we shall also extend cooperation, the more so as there is a potential for it, we find civilized forms of interaction, the Tatarstan President emphasized.