RABAT, August 24. /TASS/. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held talks with visiting chief of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev and Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev, the Iraqi foreign ministry said.

"Hussein welcomed the Russian delegation, stressing the importance of ties between Iraq and Russia and Baghdad’s commitment to continuing dialogues and cooperation in the interests of both countries," it said. "The sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, noted the need for strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest in light of the current regional and international developments."

The minister reaffirmed that Iraq "continues its balanced policy based on maintaining dialogue and peaceful solutions, as well as on the defense of national interests," it said. Hussein "stressed the importance of the development of cooperation to boost the potential of Iraqi institutes, especially in the areas ensuring Iraq’s security and stability."

The Russian side, according to the ministry, "reiterated Russia’s readiness to continue cooperation and exchange expertise in order to strengthen coordination between the two countries."

The talks were also attended Russian Ambassador to Baghdad Elbrus Kurtashev and was held "as part of communication between Iraq and Russia geared to broaden prospects for bilateral cooperation in conformity with their shared interests, regional and international developments," the ministry added.