LUKOIL President Vagit Alekperov participated in the negotiations
between Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian Federation President’s special
representative for the Middle East and Deputy RF Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqi Prime Minister, Abdelkarim al-Luaybi,
Iraqi Oil Minister, and Labid Abbawi, Iraqi First Deputy Minister for Foreign
Affairs, which took place in Baghdad on March 1st.
In the course of the talks, the Russian party expressed support for
the Iraqi government in its efforts to maintain stability in the country,
suppress terrorism, recover economy and improve the social standing of the Iraqi
people, while the country continues to strengthen its unity and sovereignty.
A common opinion was expressed as to utmost urgency
and importance of promoting cooperation in oil and gas, as well as in personnel
training for the Iraqis.
Mr. Alekperov briefed the Iraqi leadership on the West Qurna-2
project implementation. Concrete opportunities to
enhance the economic efficiency of the project, the issues surrounding Russian
employees’ security in Iraq, as well as the outlooks for
extension of the Company’s presence on the Iraqi market were
discussed.
Andrey Kuzyaev, President of LUKOIL Overseas Holding Ltd., was
also participant to the negotiations.