Iran, Russia Parliaments Weigh Plans to Enhance Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Top officials from the parliaments of Iran and Russia met in Tehran on Monday to coordinate policies for closer cooperation and enhanced economic relations between the two countries under a framework of parliamentary interaction.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Tehran with Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia’s State Duma, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the framework of parliamentary cooperation between Iran and Russia, agreed upon during previous meetings, focuses on closer trade and political ties.
Larijani also noted that prior to the press conference he had held talks with his Russian counterpart on Tehran-Moscow cooperation in ensuring sustainable security in the region as well as the war on terrorism and narcotics.
The Iranian speaker also pointed to plans for stimulating economic interaction between the private sectors of the two countries.
For his part, Volodin said the parliaments of Russia and Iran have reached a new level of relations by signing a memorandum of understanding and establishing a joint parliamentary commission.
The primary objective in Iran-Russia ties is to broaden the economic relations, the Russian speaker said, adding that Tehran and Moscow can also cooperate in other fields such as the anti-drug war or countering terrorism.
Iran and Russia have formed a strong alliance in recent years and have ramped up efforts to boost defense cooperation, trade ties, and cultural interaction.
They have close cooperation on international issues, including the Syrian crisis. They both support the Syrian government against foreign-backed militancy.