Alwaght- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow has moved ties between the two countries to a strategic level.
The Iranian president, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Moscow on Monday evening on a two-day visit to Russia at the invitation of President Putin.
After their meeting in the Kremlin on Tuesday, the two president made a joint statement where they reviewed the various dimensions of ties between Tehran and Moscow.
Iran nuclear deal, sanctions
Commenting on the Iran nuclear deal, Putin and Rouhani underscored the importance of all parties’ compliance with their obligations under the landmark agreement. They also stressed the fact that the Islamic republic of Iran has full legitimate rights to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Putin and Rouhani said in the statement. Russia welcomed "Iran’s strict compliance with its obligations under the Joint Plan, confirmed by the IAEA, as well as its firm intention to strictly observe the agreements within the established deadlines." The two president also supported the idea of converting the West Asia (Middle East) into a nuclear-free region.
The two presidents said they believe unilateral sanctions against countries to be illegitimate. "Imposing unilateral sanctions against countries is illegitimate," the statement reads.
They emphasized the need to continue joint efforts aimed at building a just world order based on international law, namely the United Nations Charter, as well as at solving global issues. "By boosting bilateral cooperation, Russia and Iran seek to enhance the central coordinating role of the United Nations in ensuring peace, security and sustainable development, and to further improve its effectiveness," the statement adds.
Regional issues, war on terror
Putin and Rouhani expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, over the growth of terrorist threats from extremist forces in that country and reiterated their commitment to continue assistance to Afghanistan’s efforts to strengthen its state system as a peaceful, democratic, independent and prosperous sate.
Russia and Iran also supported preserving Iraq’s territorial integrity, stand for lifting the blockade on Yemen, positively assess the Lebanon political process and express the hope for the fair settlement of the Palestinian problem.
The two presidents also stated their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, the efforts taken by the Iraqi authorities aimed at fighting terrorism represented by the ISIS terrorist and other extremist groupings, and also at restoring control of the country’s territories seized by such groupings. Putin and Rouhani also voiced concern "over the continued destructive war in Yemen" and spoke "for the quickest termination of clashes and the bloodshed," and also stressed "the need to settle this crisis politically as part of a nation-wide dialog."
The presidents who expressed the hope for the fair and sustainable settlement of the Palestinian problem stressed the need for the exercise of the “national rights of the Palestinian people."
The Russian president also stressed the importance of establishment of a lasting ceasefire in Syria through cooperation of Russia, Iran and Turkey, noting that both Tehran and Moscow attached importance to the restoration of security to the crisis-hit country.
Stabilization of oil prices, banking cooperation
Putin and Rouhani hailed agreements of OPEC and non-OPEC countries contributing to demand and offer balancing on the oil market in an acceptable price range and supporting investment attractiveness of the oil sector. The parties agree to continue meaningful interaction within the framework of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum aimed at forming a fair balance of interests of gas producers and consumers. Russian companies have reached agreements on development of major hydrocarbon fields in Iran. Putin and Rouhani also stressed "importance of more active interbank cooperation, including between central banks, and importance of using national currencies in mutual settlements."
Nuclear power plants
The Russian president noted that the first block of Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, constructed by Russia, reached the design capacity and documents for construction of the second and the third blocks undergo coordination.
Russia is providing significant aid to Iran in the nuclear sphere, the president said. "Our interaction is implemented in strict compliance with international law, IAEA requirements and subject to all provisions of the comprehensive action plan in respect of the Iran’s nuclear program," Putin added.
Russian aircraft, helicopters
Moscow and Tehran also discussed an opportunity of supplying SSJ-100 aircraft and helicopters to Iran.
"Ways of expanding cooperation in machine-building and in the civil aviation sector were discussed during negotiations. Potential deliveries of modern medium-range Sukhoi SuperJet-100 aircraft to Iran and helicopters for national ambulance aviation are on the agenda," Putin said.
Russia also expressed support for Iran’s plans to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). In 2015, a decision was taken to grant full-fledged membership to India and Pakistan. Iran has been enjoying an observer nation status since 2005.
Strategic ties
President Rouhani has said the interaction between Russia and Iran is moving towards strategic relations.
"The relations between our two countries demonstrate the development of our bilateral ties over the past year in the context of economy and the trade and tourism growth. The decisions which have been made in the latest months show that we are moving toward the multifaceted development and strategic relations," Rouhani said.
