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Lavrov comments on Russian-Iraqi military-technical cooperation

Lavrov says the military-technical cooperation between Russia and Iraq is directed at enhancing the defensive capability of the Iraqi side and its ability to counter terrorism

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Lavrov comments on US’ military presence in Iraq

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. The military-technical cooperation between Russia and Iraq is directed at enhancing the defensive capability of the Iraqi side and its ability to counter terrorism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday at a joint press conference after negotiations with Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Alhakim.

"As for cooperation in the sphere of providing security in the region, we have old traditions in the sphere of military-technical cooperation which are aimed at enhancing Iraq’s defensive capacity and the capability to counter terrorist threats," he said.

Russia and Iraq are old partners in the military-technical sphere. In 2014, a contract to deliver arms more than $4 billion worth was signed between the two countries, and the Russian experts are carrying out education and training of Iraqi military personnel. In addition, since February 2018 the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been receiving Russia's T-90S tanks under the arms delivery contract signed with Russia. The Iraqi military are interested in other Russian-made weapons, in particular the issue of purchasing S-400 anti-aircraft defenses was studied.

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