Iranian President Stresses Constructive, Positive Cooperation with Russia on Syria

“Tehran-Moscow strategic relations are in line with the promotion of regional and global stability and security,” President Rouhani said in a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a tripartite summit of the leaders of Iran, Russia and Turkey over Syria in Ankara on Wednesday.

He added that relations between Iran and Russia were determined by the resolute will of the two governments and would continue to expand, stressing the need for implementing the agreements signed between the two countries in the sectors of economic cooperation, energy, transit and transportation.

Developing and facilitating more banking and travel arrangements for businessmen and people of the two countries would give more momentum to Tehran-Moscow economic and trade relations, President Rouhani said.

He underscored that bilateral and multilateral relations between Iran and Russia should continue to help peace, stability, political process and fulfillment of the will of the Syrian people. 

“Iran and Russia have common views and positive and constructive cooperation in many regional and international issues, specially in the Syrian issue,” Rouhani said.

He added that security and stability in Syria, the return of Syrian refugees to their country and efforts to shape Syria's future through the vote of its people were among the important goals of the Ankara summit.

During the meeting, Putin lauded positive and close relations between Moscow and Tehran in regional and international issues, specially the Syrian conflict, and underlined the need for constant consultations between officials of the two countries.

He said that Iran and Russia would continue their cooperation in political, economic, and defense sectors as well as energy.

Russia is determined to invest more in various economic sectors of Iran, he noted.

“Iran is a great regional power with a smart nation and it should have its place, rights and interests at the national and regional levels and other countries should respect it,” Putin concluded.

President Rouhani had also on Wednesday met with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which he said development and strengthening of regional cooperation between Iran and Turkey in various fields, including the expansion of security, peace and stability in regional nations, specially Yemen, safeguarding the territorial integrity of countries, preventing a change in geographical boundaries, confronting foreign interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region and an all-out battle against terrorism would be very important and influential.

He said Iran and Turkey should promote their relations and cooperation in various sectors, including border cooperation, organized crime, environment, tourism, counter-narcotics and trade-related cooperation, banking and energy.

The development of banking relationships will boost Tehran-Ankara business and economic cooperation, he said.

Developing relations with Turkey as a friend, neighbor and Muslim country is important for Iran, he noted.

Erdogan, for his part, called on Iran and Turkey to cooperate constructively and positively on the resolution of regional issues, in particular the fight against terrorism and terrorist groups, and called for the development and strengthening of relations between Ankara and Tehran in this regard.