Iran and Russia are working on the details of a comprehensive cooperation document to replace the former strategic agreement, according to a senior Iranian diplomat.
“At the moment, the document is in the stage of drafting and coordination with relevant organizations inside the country,” Foreign Ministry’s Director General of Eurasia Affairs Alireza Haqiqian told ISNA.
He added that Tehran and Moscow are currently cooperating based on an agreement that was signed around 20 years ago and was later ratified by the parliaments of both countries.
“The validity date of this document is 10 years, but it is extended automatically every five years if neither side opposes,” he said.
Nevertheless, given the importance of expanding bilateral ties and the need for an update to this agreement, as well as current developments at regional and global level and the will of both countries’ leaders, preparing a comprehensive document was put on agenda, according to Haqiqian.
The diplomat said Russia, as a global power in Iran’s neighborhood, has an important place in the country’s foreign policy.
“This country has shared views and interests with Iran in many regional and international issues and the two countries have an enormous potential for mutual cooperation in all sectors, including politics, economy, trade, defense and technology,” he said.
Moreover, strengthening and expanding ties has the attention and definitive support of both countries’ leaders and top authorities, he said.
The volume of trade between Iran and Russia currently stands at $2 billion, according to Haqiqian, of which $700 million pertains to Iran’s exports.
In the Iranian foreign minister’s recent visit to Moscow, the two sides stressed the need to give a greater boost to these trade ties, he said.
Iran’s top diplomat Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow recently, demanded the removal of obstacles to visa issuance for Iranian business people in Russia.
The two also discussed capacities for cooperation in banking, tourism, culture and the fight against the coronavirus disease.
They agreed to facilitate and speed up joint cooperation plans, including the 1,400 megawatt Sirik power plant in Hormozgan Province, the Garmsar-Inche Boroun railway, and expansion of Gotvand hydropower plant.
In the meeting, the two sides decided to implement the visa waiver agreement as soon as the coronavirus outbreak is contained.
Based on the ministers’ agreement, the 16th round of the joint commission for economic cooperation will also be held in Russia as soon as health conditions improve.