Russia and Iraq are trying to revive Saddam-era energy deals. Russian oil major LUKOIL, in consortium with other Russian firms, signed a $3.7 billion deal to develop Iraq's West Qurna oil field in 1996, when Saddam Hussein was in power. Russia agreed last year to write off most of Iraq's remaining $12.9 billion debt and signed a separate deal to open up the country to $4 billion in investment from Russian firms but the agreement did not help LUKOIL win back the Qurna deal.
Putin said Russia and Iraq also discussed military cooperation, which, he said, was in a stage of "practical contacts". Soviet Union supplied Saddam's army with weapons and Russia is keen to regain former Soviet export markets.
Again, energy adn military deals go together.
Iran is also planning to build power plants in Iraq.
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