"Let me reiterate once again that we support the interim Iraqi government's efforts to solve all the difficult problems your country is faced with these days," he said as he addressed the visiting Foreign Minister of Iraq, Hoshiyar Zebari, during Kremlin talks Saturday.
Mr. Ivanov reminded the Iraqi minister about Russia's role in pushing Resolution No. 1546 (the one that had made it possible to restore Iraq's sovereignty) through the UN Security Council.
"We are perfectly aware what a difficult period Iraq is going through now and we are willing to provide assistance at the bilateral and multilateral levels alike, [acting] in close coordination with the country's interim government," Mr. Ivanov said. He assured his guest that Russia would always be helpful and sympathetic to Iraq.
Mr. Zebari, for his part, thanked Russia for its efforts to get the Iraqi sovereignty restored. He then went on to say that Resolution No. 1546 had indeed drawn a line under the occupation of Iraq and made possible the handover of power to a sovereign Iraqi government.
