Iran, Russia Ties on 'Upward Trajectory'
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran and Russia have similar stances and close cooperation in many regional and international issues, and their bilateral ties are on an upward trajectory, Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash said.
On the occasion of the commemoration of Russia’s Day, Bazrpash attended the Russian Embassy in Tehran on Wednesday and met with Russia’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Alexey Dedov to discuss bilateral ties.
During the meeting, Bazrpash extended his congratulations to the government and people of Russia and said Iran and Russia have a long history of relations with many ups and downs.
Notable trends are bilateral visits of the two countries' high-ranking government and private sector delegations, increasing the volume of trade exchanges, increasing mutual investments, diversifying export and import, increasing transit and joint economic projects, as well as increasing the number of direct flights between different cities of the two countries, he said.
In addition to bilateral relations, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation have similar stances and close cooperation in many regional and international issues, Iran's roads minister said, adding, "In this regard, securing national interests in the light of long-term prospect on international developments and trying to establish a fair international system based on multilateralism can be considered as the most important measures taken by the two countries."
Bazrpash, who is also the chairman of the Iran-Russia Joint Economic Commission, stated that the two countries cooperate closely in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as well as in the Central Asian regions of the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus with the aim of establishing peace and stability and economic development in the region.
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) inked between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union is one of the factors that facilitate economic relations between the two countries, he said, adding, "We hope that by using its capacities, development of commercial exchanges as well as investment for joint productions will increase significantly."
Highlighting the efforts of Iran to develop friendly relations with the neighboring countries, Bazrpash wished peace, tranquility, prosperity and development for the people and government of Russia.
The Russian envoy, for his part, welcomed Bazrpash and emphasized the importance of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Russia's willingness to cooperate with Iran in this project.
Last month, Iran and Russia signed the agreement for financing the construction of the Rasht-Astara Railway along the INSTC through a video-conference ceremony with the participation of the presidents of the two countries.
