Putin prioritizes strengthening trade, economic cooperation with Iran

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that strengthening trade and economic cooperation is a top priority in relations with Iran.

During a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 2024 BRICS summit in Russia's city of Kazan, Putin said the intergovernmental commission has been tasked with implementing different projects.

Putin also mentioned the development of Iranian railway infrastructure as part of the promotion of the large-scale North-South international transportation corridor project, as well as the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant's second and third power units, among other important Russian-Iranian joint projects.

The Russian leader expressed optimism that the Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union would be signed by the end of this year.

"In general, I would like to emphasize that Russia and Iran's approaches to the global agenda are more or less similar or identical. We are united in our desire to establish a just multipolar world order, respect international norms, and maintain the United Nations' central role," he said.

Pezeshkian, for his part, said he personally oversaw the implementation of certain agreements because he considers relations with Russia "strategic."

"Our relations are of a strategic nature – it is in the interests of our states to step forward together. Our dear neighbor Russia is a great country," he said.

The Iranian president urged for greater cooperation within BRICS and other formats, and he expressed hope that a new Russian-Iranian interstate agreement would be signed soon.