Russia said Wednesday it felt wanted in Iraq, after its highest-level visit to the country since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion yielded agreements on natural gas pipelines and power.
"We've received a clear signal from the Iraqi government that Russian oil companies are welcome guests in Iraq," Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said in a statement Wednesday after his visit earlier this week.
Russia and Iraq reached agreements on the construction of two gas pipelines and cooperation on the launch of three power stations, the statement said.
The visit, which included representatives from Russia's leading energy companies, such as Rosneft (ROSN.RS), Lukoil Holdings (LKOH.RS), TNK-BP Holding (TNBP.RS) and Zarubezhneft, was the first by an official Russian delegation in six years, the ministry said.
Russia is seeking to revive political and economic ties with Iraq disrupted by the U.S. invasion six years ago and to position itself for future energy deals in the oil-rich country.
In 1997, Lukoil signed a multi-billion dollar contract to explore the West Qurna 2 oil field but was expelled before the invasion of Iraq because of disagreements with the Saddam Hussein regime.