By Tasnim News (Politics) | Created at 2024-10-24 05:12:41 | Updated at 2024-10-24 07:20:10
2 hours ago
In a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed a range of issues, including bilateral ties and international developments.
Pezeshkian said the relations between Iran and Russia are strategic and benefit both countries, adding that Tehran considers blocs like BRICS, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) suitable platforms for constructive interaction with Russia.
The Iranian president further referred to consultations held during the Wednesday BRICS summit, expressing hope that the constructive policies are pursued practically at the regional level and within the framework of bilateral ties “in order to more effectively counter the unilateral and hegemonic policies of the United States in the world and reduce the impact of sanctions against Iran and Russia."
Putin, for his part, stated that the presence of Iran and Russia in international and regional organizations provides the two countries with new and useful opportunities for cooperation, and added that Pezeshkian’s trip to Russia is of high importance for Moscow.
The Russian president also said one of his country’s priorities is the implementation of major joint projects, such as the development of Iran's rail infrastructure within the framework of the International North–South Transport Corridor and the construction of the second and third units of the Bushehr power plant, the Iranian president’s official website reported.
The economic relations between Russia and other countries in the region will also improve thanks to the free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union, which was signed at the end of 2023, Putin argued.
He also expressed satisfaction with the growing cultural cooperation between Iran and Russia, stating that the cancellation of visa requirements for tourists resulted in a 52% increase in tourist exchanges between the two countries in 2023.
Putin emphasized that Russia and Iran have similar views on global issues and that both nations seek to create a fair and multipolar global order and maintain the United Nations’ key role in international affairs.
The Russian president also asked his Iranian counterpart to convey his greetings and best wishes to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
