FM: Broadening Trade Ties High on Agenda of Iran, Russia
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian underlined the importance of President Seyed Eberahim Rayeesi’s visit to Russia, saying that both countries are highly interested in the further development of trade ties and cooperation.
“High on the agenda are the development of trade cooperation between the two countries, the expansion of long-term cooperation, and the removal of some obstacles, including infrastructural weaknesses, financial and investment resources, as well as efforts to neutralize international sanctions against the two countries,” Amir Abdollahian said in an interview with the Persian-language Nour News, affiliated to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
Referring to the President Rayeesi administration’s dynamic, look-to-the-East foreign policy, he said that Iran and Russia are redoubling their joint efforts to nullify US and European sanctions targeting the economies of the two countries.
Amir Abdollahian also said there is a strong desire on the part of the private and public sectors in Iran and Russia to cement their trade ties, despite the restrictions created by Washington’s unilateral sanctions against Tehran.
The remarks came as President Rayeesi departed Tehran for Moscow on Wednesday.
Amir Abdollahian explained that there are a variety of issues over Tehran-Moscow relations that need to be addressed.
“We regard Putin’s Russia as different from the Soviet Union,” he said, noting that the two countries’ strategic view of foreign relations is a foundation to build on.
“Syria has been a successful model of regional cooperation between the two countries in recent years,” he added.
The Iranian foreign minister further noted that Iran’s principled stand is that regional security must be provided only by the region’s countries.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized its principled policy of strengthening good neighborliness, building trust, and holding dialog with its neighbors and deems lasting security possible only through cooperation, partnership and peace,” he said.
Elsewhere during the interview, Amir Abdollahian described the Rayeesi administration’s foreign policy as balanced, dynamic, and smart.
He named the administration’s three top priorities as “a neighbor-centered policy, an Asia-centered policy with a focus on looking to the East, and an economy-centered diplomacy.”
“Dr. Rayeesi’s visit to Russia is a turning point in the policy of good neighborliness and looking to the East,” he added.
According to the chief Iranian diplomat, Tehran has succeeded to resolve issues with neighboring countries such as Turkmenistan and Iraq and is making diplomatic overtures to Persian Gulf countries, including Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and also Saudi Arabia.
“Finally, I shall point out that initiatives, endeavors, actions, and policies in the field of foreign policy are a process and bear fruit when given enough time. Therefore, the results of these political actions will emerge in the medium- and long-term,” he added.
President Rayeesi is scheduled to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and address the plenary session of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.
According to the Kremlin, Rayeesi and Putin will discuss all issues related to bilateral cooperation, including the implementation of joint projects in economic and trade fields, as well as important international and regional developments.