Russian President Strengthens Ties with Iranian President at Central Asia Meeting

During talks on October 11 in the Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian agreed to strengthen cooperation in a number of areas.

"Our talks with the Russian president lasted about an hour. We reiterated the agreements we signed," the Iranian president said.

"In economic and cultural terms, our communication activities are being strengthened day by day and becoming stronger. The growing trend of cooperation between Iran and Russia, taking into account the will of the top leaders of both countries, must be accelerated to strengthen these relations," Pezeshkian was quoted by Iran's IRNA news agency as telling Putin.

"We had constructive interactions. We agreed to speed up the completion of projects in the gas sector, road and railway construction, desalination and other projects related to energy, petrochemicals and electricity."

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of a cultural forum marking the 300th anniversary of the birth of Turkmen poet and philosopher Magtymguly Fragi, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, October 11. Photo: Sputnik

Last month, Mr Pezeshkian pledged his country would deepen ties with Russia to counter Western sanctions. The two countries said they were close to signing a strategic partnership agreement, which Mr Pezeshkian hoped could be finalised at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 22-24.

Russia said cooperation with Iran was expanding in all areas. Mr Putin told Mr Pezeshkian that economic ties between Moscow and Tehran were on the rise.

"We are actively cooperating in the international arena. Our views on current events in the world are often very similar," TASS news agency quoted President Putin as telling Mr. Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the conference in the Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat.

Mr. Pezeshkian noted that Iran and Russia have significant complementary capabilities and can support each other. “Our positions in the world are much closer than others,” he told the Russian leader.

Mr Pezeshkian has previously said that Israel should “stop killing innocent people”, and that its actions in the Middle East are supported by the US and EU. Russia has also criticised Israel for bombing civilian areas.

Mr Putin said a new world order was being formed and new centres of economic growth, financial and political influence were emerging. Mr Putin said Russia supported “the broadest possible international discussion” of the emerging multipolar world and was ready to discuss the issue in various forums, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, IRNA, TASS)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nga-president-also-has-a-relationship-with-iran-president-at-cuoc-hop-o-trung-a-post316513.html