The Foreign Ministers of Iran and Russia agreed on the need maintaining the long established friendly ties between the two countries.
Zarif and Lavrov stressed on the need for the continued cooperation and consultation of the two countries in regional and international affairs to both protect the interests of both sides and further international and regional peace and stability.
Zarif further reiterated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for further expansion of cooperation in entire fields of mutual interest more than ever before.” Zarif also made reference to the meeting of President Putin and Ruhani and other top officials from both countries on the sidelines of the Bishkek Shanghai Cooperation Council meeting (SCO).
Dr Zarif stressed on the need of establishing a framework for regular meetings and consultation between the Iran and Russia referring to the existence of a will for greater cooperation between the two nations in Iran, and pointed to the 11th Iran-Russia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission which is to be convened in the near future as a good opportunity for this establishing this framework.
Dr Zarif stated that cooperation between two the two countries on international and regional affairs is extensive and encompasses cooperation in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, the Middle East, the Caspian Sea, and the nuclear field, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which are of great significance.
Lavrov the Russian foreign minister also referred to the positive and constructive results of the Iranian and Russian presidents’ on the sidelines of the Bishkek SCO Summit Meeting.
Lavrov stated, “The presidents of the two countries emphasized that the two countries’ relations in economic, cultural, and regional fields must be strengthened and pursued more effectively, and we too, welcome pursuing more effective political consultations between the two countries.”
Lavrov referred to his visit to Iran as a good opportunity for pursuing the implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries’ presidents.
Lavrov added, “We emphasize the need for having a long term perspective for bilateral ties, and are ready for cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields in regional and international scenes.”
Russia’s foreign minister said that Russia recognizes Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy, including the right to enrichment in the framework of the NPT. Lavrov stressed on the need to implement the Geneva deal in accordance to the jointly prepared text.
Referring to the continuing Syrian crisis Dr Zarif stated that continued close consultation and cooperation between Iran and Russia were both of great importance and necessity.
Zarif stressed on the need to prevent the growth and nurturing of terrorism and extremism both in Syria and beyond, saying, “Resorting to military force and foreign intervention is by no means acceptable in Syria and efforts must be made to end the bloodshed there.”
Zarif added, “Also efforts must be made to preserve the national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria and to permit the Syrians to decide their own political fate.”
Lavrov and Zarif also considered the year 2014 as an important year for Afghanistan, considering terrorism and mass production of narcotics there as some of the problems there.
Furthermore cooperation in the Caspian Sea and holding the 2014 Astrakhan Caspian Sea Littoral States Conference, were discussed in the meeting.