The first vice president stated "Expanding cooperation with neighboring countries, including Russia, has a special place in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, adding it is expected that the signed cooperation memorandums between the two countries be implemented as soon as possible.

Referring to the shared experience of Iran and Russia vis-a-vis US and Western sanctions, Aref stressed the need to deepen cooperation and relations at all levels to neutralize the sanctions.

Pointing to the importance of strengthening regional cooperation between Iran and Russia, the vice president said “More discussion and exchange of views are necessary regarding issues related to the Zangezur and the North-South corridors, and we believe that any changes in borders and regional geopolitics will cause tension and misuse by external players.”

He called for the completion of the Sirik power plant and units 2 and 3 of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, adding, “Apart from bilateral communications, multilateral cooperation such as between Iran, China, and Russia and regional unions is very effective in solving problems and strengthening regional relations.”

He further stated that the trade volume between the two countries is $2.5 billion, which is expected to rise to higher levels.

Elsewhere the Iranian official said: “Alongside the expansion of the cooperation of the two countries, increasing communications through regional mechanisms such as BRICS, Shanghai, and the Eurasian Union is very beneficial and effective, and to this end, strengthening and activating the joint commissions of the two countries are very helpful.”

He also emphasized the necessity of finalizing the comprehensive cooperation agreement between Iran and Russia, saying, “This agreement can be the basis of cooperation between the two countries, which is fundamentally important for strengthening of bilateral banking relations.”

Referring to the excellent cooperation between Iran and Russia in the transportation of goods and passengers, the vice president said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to complete and solve the technical problems of transportation projects between the two countries, including the North-South corridor and the Rasht-Astara railway, and in this regard, not only should the Astara-Bandar Abbas project be implemented as soon as possible, but the Rasht-Astara railway should also be finalized with the cooperation of Russian companies as quickly as possible.”

Aref thanked the Russian side for finalizing the comprehensive treaty and signing it on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, announcing, “The two countries are expected to finalize 13 cooperation documents during this visit.”

Aref also appreciated Russia’s support for Iran’s membership in the Eurasian Union expressing hope that the preparations for Iran’s membership will be prepared at the Armenia meeting.”

During the meeting, the vice president also convicted the Zionist regime atrocities in Gaza and Lebanon as well as the martyrdom of the Hizballah leader Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, appreciated Russian Federation positions in the regard, announcing “Russian initiatives in the Security Council can be very effective in preventing killing the innocent peoples of Gaza and Lebanon.”

Statements by the Russian Prime Minister

In this meeting, Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin the Russian Prime Minister referred to the historical background of Iran-Russia cooperation based on the principles of friendship, neighborhood, and good neighborliness, and announced, “We are interested in elevating the cooperation and relations of the two countries to higher levels.”

He emphasized Russia’s readiness to diversify trade and economic exchanges between the two countries in areas such as agricultural products, shipping, energy, oil and gas, automotive, science and technology, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment, saying, “Facilitating investment and expanding cooperation through the cooperation commission of the two countries is essential.”

Referring to the importance of completing the North-South corridor, the Russian Prime Minister stated, “This route, considering the transit capacities of the two countries, can have a significant impact on strengthening the transport cooperation of regional countries, including the Eurasian countries, and on the other hand, it can facilitate Russia’s, regional countries’, and Caspian Sea littoral states’ access to Iranian ports in the Caspian Sea and regional markets in Asia and Africa and to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean’s ports.”

Referring to the threefold increase in students as well as the 52% rise in Iranian tourists in Russia, Mishustin said: The Russian Federation places significant importance on developing cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and given the high tourism potential between the two countries, collaboration in this area should be strengthened.

He emphasized the need to finalize the comprehensive agreement between the two countries as soon as possible and continued: This cooperation document has been signed by the President of Russia, and we hope it will be signed on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan.

The Russian Prime Minister also stressed the importance of strengthening and developing financial and banking cooperation, using the currencies of both countries in trade transactions, and facilitating collaboration between the private sectors of Iran and Russia.

“13 cooperation documents in various fields have been finalized in the joint commission for cooperation between Iran and Russia, which should be completed and signed during this visit.” The Russian Prime Minister said.

Mishustin pointed to the signing of a gas export agreement from Russia to Iran in recent months, announcing that with the completion of this project, Iran could become a regional gas export hub.

He also highlighted the expansion of cooperation in the oil and gas sector, oil extraction from Iranian oil and gas fields, modernization of refineries, construction of polymer plants, customs cooperation, completion of the Sirik thermal power plant, as well as energy sector collaborations.