The foreign ministers of Iran and Russia have reaffirmed both countries’ determination to bolster relations in all areas following Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi’s historic visit to Moscow.
The remarks by the two foreign ministers were made in a Thursday meeting between Iran’s top diplomat, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow.
Pointing to the growing relations between Iran and Russia, Amir-Abdollahian and Lavrov described the recent meeting of the two countries' presidents as a sign of seriousness to further boost and deepen bilateral relations. They also expressed hope that the relevant institutions in both countries would implement the agreements reached by their presidents as soon as possible.
During the meeting, the Russian foreign minister called the Iranian president’s visit to Russia an important development in the relations between the two countries and stressed that the ground has been prepared for the expansion of interactions between the two countries more than ever.
Lavrov expressed optimism that the economic projects currently being implemented with the participation of Russian companies in Iran would be completed as quickly as possible.
The foreign ministers of Iran and Russia also discussed the latest regional and international developments as well as the ongoing talks in the Austrian capital city of Vienna for the revival of the landmark Iran deal, which was reached in 2015, while underscoring the need for further expansion of cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels.
Also in their talks, the two diplomats stressed the need to finalize a roadmap for relations between the two countries, which had been already raised during the meeting of the presidents.
Touching on the current situation in Afghanistan, they said the political solution to the crisis in the war-ravaged country was formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic groups.
As for Yemen, a political solution based on ceasefire, the lifting of the Saudi-imposed blockade of the country, and the promotion of intra-Yemeni talks were emphasized by Iran's foreign minister and his Russian counterpart.
In a televised interview with Iran’s state TV on Wednesday, Amir-Abdollahian said the Iranian and Russian presidents had tasked the top diplomats of the two countries with working out a roadmap for cooperation over the next two decades.
Amir-Abdollahian had earlier said in an article for Russia’ Sputnik news agency that Iran and Russia were determined to update the 20-year cooperation treaty they had signed in 2001. The agreement was originally meant to last for 10 years, but it has twice been extended for five years.
Raeisi arrived in Moscow on Wednesday on a two-day strategic visit at the head of a high-ranking delegation at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
In a meeting with Putin, the Iranian president said there was no hindrance in the way of further expanding relations between the Islamic Republic and the Russian Federation.