Iranian, Russian FMs reiterate broadening of ties

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov hailed the existing bilateral relations between Tehran and Moscow, and called for strengthening mutual cooperation between their countries in all arenas. In a meeting on the sidelines of the 68th Annual Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, the two top diplomats expressed satisfaction over the growing trend of bilateral relations between the two friendly states, and discussed the ways to bolster mutual cooperation in the fields of oil, gas, electricity, industry and machinery as well as fostering cooperation among the Caspian Sea littoral states. Late in August, the Iranian and Russian foreign ministers in a telephone conversation discussed bolstering and reinvigorating the bilateral relations between the two states. During their phone talk, the Iranian and Russian foreign ministers also surveyed the timetable for bilateral political contacts in the near future. Iran and Russia have vast cooperation in different fields, specially in political and economic spheres. The two also enjoy special position on the international scene and have long held constant consultations on key regional and global issues. Russian banks are participating in schemes to finance Iranian oil exports, which are the target of US and European sanctions against Tehran.