Iran, Russia Developing Strategic Ties: President Raisi
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The relations between Tehran and Moscow are on the path towards strategic ties, President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi said in a meeting with his Russian counterpart during a landmark visit to Russia.
Raisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on Wednesday evening.
Referring to the influential role of Iran and Russia in the region and the world, the Iranian president said, "We have no restrictions on the development of relations with Russia, and the excellent relations between Tehran and Moscow are at the level of strategic relations and will be improved."
He also described the common understanding of the two countries in the regional and international issues as the basis for joint cooperation, and said, "Iran-Russia relations are on the path of strategic relations."
Raisi described maximum interaction with the neighbors and allied countries as one of the priorities of the foreign policy of Iran, the president’s official website reported.
"Strengthening bilateral cooperation between Iran and Russia will boost the economies of the two countries and increase regional and global security," he added.
Iran's cooperation with the independent governments is expanding regardless of the international developments, the president noted, adding that the fight against terrorism and organized drug trafficking are among the pillars of joint cooperation.
"The successful experience of cooperation against terrorism in Syria can be applied to the Caucasus and Afghanistan as well," he stated.
Emphasizing the inviolability of borders in the Caucasus and the national and geopolitical sovereignty of the region, the president stressed the need for cooperation for the economic development of the region, saying, "NATO influence under any kind of cover in the Caucasus and Central Asia threatens the common interests of independent countries."
President Raisi said that the only way to reach sustainable stability and security in Afghanistan is the formation of an all-inclusive government with the cooperation of all groups and ethnicities.
"We have stood against America like you since 40 years ago," Raisi told Putin.
He also called the cooperation between Iran and Russia in the fight against terrorism in Syria a successful experience, and emphasized the need to preserve Syria's territorial integrity. "The complete sovereignty of the central government over all Syrian lands and international borders is the only way to ensure security in Syria."
"The vicious circle of the substituting occupiers with terrorists and vice-versa in Syria must stop," he underlined.
The Iranian president further described the Astana process as a good framework for a diplomatic solution to the Syrian issue.