Iraqi prime minister arrives in Moscow for top-level talks

MOSCOW, April 9 (RIA Novosti) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki arrived in Moscow on Thursday ahead of Friday meetings with President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

During al-Maliki's official visit to Moscow, which will last until Saturday, bilateral talks will be held on trade and economic ties between the two countries, including issues concerning Russian businesses returning to the Iraqi market, as well as cooperation in the oil, gas, electric and construction sectors.

Also on the agenda will be the internal situation in Iraq and the prospects for Russian-Iraqi cooperation on international and regional issues, particularly the situation in the Persian Gulf and a Middle East peace settlement.