Accompanied by Russian Ambassador to Iraq Maxim Maximov and Consul-General in Erbil Oleg Levin, Bogdanov was greeted by the Kurdistan Region’s (KRG) Head of Department of Foreign Relations Safeen Dizayee at Erbil International Airport.

Bogdanov then met with President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani to discuss ways to improve economic ties, according to a statement released by Barzani’s office.

Russia has significant oil and gas interests in the Kurdistan Region and there is regular contact between Moscow and Erbil.

Additionally, the two sides “discussed the situation in Iraq and stressed the importance of seeking to calm tensions and unrest in the region,” the statement said, alluding to recent tensions between Iran and the United States.

The pair also discussed the problems between Erbil and Baghdad and the importance of coordination between the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army in the disputed areas, Reuters reported.

They also touched on the situation in neighboring Syria.

The Russian delegation then met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

“Both sides agreed on the importance of peace and stabilization in Iraq and Syria and cooperating in fighting the Islamic State and the role of the Kurdistan Region in these matters,” KRG said in a statement.

“Bogdanov invited Prime Minister Barzani to participate in the [upcoming] International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum,” the statement added.

Later on, Bogdanov and the Russian delegation met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani to discuss “ways of further strengthening the cultural, political and economic relations.”

Reporter’s code: 50101