Economy, Key to Strategic Ties with Russia: Iranian Diplomat
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – In order for the relations between Iran and Russia to gain a strategic status, bilateral economic ties need to thrive firstly, an Iranian deputy foreign minister said.
In a meeting with Deputy Speaker of Russia’s Federation Council Ilyas Umakhanov in Russia, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour hailed the political will of Iranian and Russian officials for closer interaction.
Making a reference to a telephone conversation between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russia counterpart Vladimir Putin a few days ahead of the recent OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) meeting in Vienna, Rahimpour underlined that cooperation and agreements between Tehran and Moscow would have huge impacts on the international developments.
For his part, the top Russian lawmaker said Russia’s Federation Council attaches great significance to stronger collaboration with Iran amid the rapid international upheavals.
Just two weeks ago, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko paid an official visit to Iran for a series of high-profile meetings, including with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
Iran and Russia have formed a strong alliance in recent years, with both supporting the Syrian government against foreign-backed militancy.