Iraq's prime minister has called on Russian companies to increase investment in Iraq during a visit by the Russian energy minister, AP reported.
Nouri al-Maliki says "Iraq has historical relations with Russia and we are working toward broadening our cooperation."
He singled out the fields of oil and electricity in a statement describing his meeting Monday with Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko.
Russia's official ITAR-Tass news agency says Shmatko also discussed re-activating old energy contracts and striking new energy deals with Iraq's Electricity Minister Karim Waheed.
The lack of electricity and other basic services is likely to be a major campaign issue ahead of Iraq's national elections in January.