Iran, Russia Want Broader ICT Cooperation

Iran and Russia have called for stronger measures to promote cooperation in the area of telecommunications and cyber space.

This was expressed in a meeting between Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi and Russian Minister of Communication and Mass Media Nikolai Nikiforov.

Vaezi has been quoted by agencies as saying that discussions between the related institutions from both sides over the past few years have already brought about positive developments.   

He has also emphasized that Iran is ready to take the required measures to implement the agreements that have already been signed with Russia over cooperation in the field of ICT as well as communications, IRNA reported.

Nikiforov, for his part, has told Vaezi that Russia is interested in expanding its relations in the area of ICT with Iran.  He has also emphasized that Russia is interested in promoting its own social network – VK.com – in Iran.

Other areas that both ministers are reported to have identified as potential areas for mutual cooperation are e-governance, online education, space telecommunication, as well as fiber optic technology.

Vaezi arrived in Moscow on Wednesday from Astrakhan for talks with Russian officials over issues of mutual interest.

During his three-day stay, he is also scheduled to meet Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov and Minister of Energy Aleksandr Novak among others. The Iranian minister will also meet Minister of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission Veronica Nikishina.

The level of trade between Iran and Russia stood at $1.7 billion in 2014 and increased by 30 percent in 2015 to reach about $2.2 billion. Trade between the two countries saw an increase of 69 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period last year, IRNA added.

Iran wants customs hurdles with Russia lifted

On the other hand, Iran has called for joint efforts with Russia to remove the “customs hurdles” which it says are obstructing the expansion of trade between the two countries.

Iran’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology has been quoted by the Russian media as saying that he plans to raise this issue together with others in his upcoming meetings with the related Russian officials in Moscow and Astrakhan.

“We are interested in developing relations between Iran and Russia. We should pave a way for this, should ease visa regime, get rid of customs hurdles, ease online banking,” Russia’s ITAR-TASS news agency has quoted Vaezi as saying. The Iranian minister was talking to reporters after meeting Astrakhan Region Governor Alexander Zhilkin.

“I will personally try to resolve several issues at talks today and tomorrow in Astrakhan and Moscow. One of these issues is creating ‘green corridors’ for Iranian goods. And I hope we will reach an agreement,” he noted.

Vaezi, who co-chairs Russian-Iranian commission on trade and economic cooperation, is in Astrakhan to take part in the business forum “Russia-Iran: trade and economic and investment cooperation,” ITAR-TASS added.

Russia announced in March that it is taking the required measures to establish “green corridors” on its Caspian coasts to receive agricultural products from Iran.

Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister Sergei Levin was quoted by the media as saying that the ports of Makhachkala and Astrakhan are geared up for the purpose as Russia is pushing through its efforts to find new sources of food supplies amid spat with the West and Turkey.

The green corridors are expected to simplify customs procedures and expedite the formalities for customs clearance and document formalization.

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