Iran and Russia FMs meet in Moscow, discuss bilateral, regional and international issues

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have met in Moscow.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have met in Moscow.
In the meeting, Amirabdollahian referred to continued meetings and talks between Russian and Iranian officials at different levels including a direct line between the presidents of the two countries and the recent negotiations between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. He said following two rounds of previous talks in Tehran and Moscow, fortunately, good progress has been made in different fields and bilateral ties are on the right track and progressing.
Amirabdollahian noted that numerous visits between the two countries and progress in bilateral relations show that Iran and Russia are determined to strengthen their cooperation.
The Iranian foreign minister added that drawing up a long-term strategic cooperation agreement between the two countries is in its final stage and will be ready for signing.
He pointed to the 3.5-fold increase in trade relations between the two countries in 2022, saying this figure shows a good progress, but given the great potentials of Iran and Russia, their trade volume can be further increased.
Amirabdollahian also stressed the need to complete and implement agreements signed by Tehran and Moscow in order to boost their transit cooperation regarding the north-south corridor, noting that the implementation of the agreements concerning the Rasht-Astara railway project must be accelerated. Highlighting the important role of parliamentary diplomacy to help strengthen bilateral relations, Amirabdollahian pointed to the recent fruitful visit of Mr. Valodin, Speaker of the Russian Duma, to Tehran. He further expressed hope that the upcoming visit of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mr. Qalibaf to Russia will strengthen the process.
The Iranian foreign minister also expressed pleasure with the positive trend of cooperation between Iran and Russia in regional and international organizations.
Another issue raised in the meeting was cooperation between Iran and Russia in the energy sector.
The top Iranian diplomat spoke about the approval of 40 agreements over Iran's definite membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and strengthening cooperation within the framework of the SCO, voicing hope that the process of Iran's membership in the BRICS group will be completed as well.
Agricultural, transportation, banking and monetary, investment, customs, consular, tourism, cultural, and media cooperation between the two countries as well as joint work toward reviewing the legal regime of the Caspian Sea were among other issues Amirabdollahian and Lavrov discussed.
Amirabdollahian also outlined Iran’s views about the developments in Ukraine, Palestine, Yemen and the South Caucasus. He stressed the need for a political solution to the crisis in the South Caucasus and reaffirmed Iran’s opposition to any geopolitical changes in this region.
Amirabdollahian renewed an invitation extended by Mr. Mokhbar to the Russian prime minister to participate in the economic meeting of Caspian Sea states in Iran.
In the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also expressed pleasure with the strengthening of cooperation with Iran in various fields, saying, “We have various topics over which we can hold talks and cooperate”.
Lavrov highlighted the results of the last meeting of the joint commission of cooperation between Iran and Russia and the importance of this commission’s role in boosting relations between the two countries, saying the Russian prime minister is ready to travel to Iran to participate in the upcoming economic conference of the Caspian Sea states.

While noting Moscow’s pleasure with the growth rate of the trade cooperation with Tehran, Lavrov said this is a result of the fruitful meetings between the government and private sectors’ officials of the two countries. He underscored the need to implement agreements between Iran and Russia in the fields of transportation and transit also the strategic role of the north-south corridor in this regard. Lavrov said Russia is ready to work with Iran to complete the corridor.
He said Russia is pleased with the fruitful cooperation with Iran at regional and international levels.
He also reaffirmed Russia's support for reviving the Iran nuclear deal, JCPOA, and slammed the US approach to the agreement. Lavrov emphasized the need to completely lift the sanctions against Iran.
He strongly criticized the West’s move to give all types of weaponry to Ukraine, rejecting the allegations of the US and Europe against Iran in regard to Ukraine.
Lavrov said Ukraine has no damning proof to back up such claims and that Russia has already responded officially to such accusations and has rejected them.
Lavrov added that just as Russia supported Iran’s accession to the SCO, it is calling for signing an all-out cooperation deal between Tehran and the Eurasian economic bloc. He said Russia also looks to Iran’s membership in BRICS.
The two ministers exchanged views about the issues concerning Afghanistan, Yemen, Ukraine, Syria, the southern Caucuses, the issues pertaining to the Caspian Sea region, and also cooperation between the two countries at regional and international levels.