Russian PM expects Rouhani’s visit to open new page in bilateral ties

By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s current visit to Russia will open a new page in relations between the two countries and be as productive as possible, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at the meeting held on March 27, TASS reported.

"At the moment, very cordial, advanced relations have been established between our countries, and your visit provides the opportunity to make them even deeper and more cooperative," Medvedev said at the meeting with the Iranian president.

The Russian PM expressed his intention to discuss with the Iranian president both economic issues and international affairs.

Rouhani, in turn, said that the relations between the two countries "are not limited to one area, but are successfully developing in politics, economy, culture and international and regional affairs."

Rouhani stressed that joint steps by Iran and Russia in the international arena would contribute to the strengthening of peace and stability in the region.

He also noted "positive dynamics" in relations between his country and Russia in the recent years.

"The visit of President Vladimir Putin to Tehran has become a new starting point in the development of bilateral relations, and I hope that during this visit to Moscow we will witness another turning point in the development of relations," Rouhani added.

The talks of the two presidents are scheduled for the second day of the visit. Putin and Rouhani are expected to sign a package of bilateral documents. The Iranian side said earlier the documents cover the areas of telecommunications, technologies, energy, roads, urban development, standardizing, and sports.

"Special attention will be given to the promulgation of trade and investment, particularly in the context of large joint projects in the energy sector and transport infrastructures," the Kremlin press service stated.

According to the Federal Customs Service, the volume of Russian-Iranian trade turnover in 2016 increased by 70.1 percent and amounted to more than $2.18 billion. At the same time, Russian exports grew by 85.1 percent to more than $1.88 billion, imports - by 13.2 percent to more than $302 million.

Exports from Russia to Iran are dominated by shipments of machinery and equipment, food products, metals, timber and chemical products. The main imports from Iran in 2016 were food and agricultural raw materials (77%), chemical products (more than 16%), machinery and equipment, mineral products and textiles.