Russia will write off 90 pct of Iraq debt -Putin

November 24, 2004

THE HAGUE, Nov 25 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow had committed itself to writing off 90 percent of Iraq’s debts, more than the 80 percent of forgiveness agreed by the Paris Club of sovereign debtors.

“In the framework of the Paris Club we have undertaken … writing off of Iraqi debts to us,” Putin told a news conference after a summit with European Union leaders.

“When entering the Paris Club we have obliged ourselves to write off 60 percent plus new agreements, and totally that will amount to 90 pct of writing off Iraqi debt to Russia.”