Tehran– President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin called for deepening of bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
In the meeting held on the sidelines of the joint SCO-BRICS summit meeting in Ufa, Russia, Rouhanistressed finding a political solution to the resolution of crisis in Syria and said, ‘Tehran and Moscow have to deepen their serious steps against terrorism and cooperate with regional countries to eradicate the sinister phenomenon.’
Discussing bilateral ties with Russia as well as regional developments, he urged multi-lateral cooperation to end terrorism and extremism in Syria and Iraq.
President Rouhani also termed the Saudi-led aggression on Yemen a tragedy in the region and said Iran and Russia can cooperate to end bloodshed of children and women in the war-hit country.
He also welcomed expansion of bilateral ties between Iran and Russia in economic, scientific and tourism fields and said in the recent two years there have been satisfactory steps to boost the bilateral relations.
President Putin hailed the development of bilateral cooperation with Iran and said Tehran-Moscow cooperation in economic, political, cultural and scientific areas can prepare the ground for further steps in bilateral relations.
He said Russia has extensively endeavored to settle the nuclear dispute and to support Iran’s rights in this regard.
The Russian president too stressed bilateral and regional cooperation to fight against terrorism and extremism.
Rouhani, Xi discuss expansion of strategic ties
On the other hand, President Hassan Rouhani met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday during which he said Iran welcomes expansion of all-out ties with China.
During the meeting held on the sidelines of the joint SCO-BRICS summit in Ufa, Russia, he expressed satisfaction over Tehran-Beijing expanding relations and hoped that bilateral ties can maintain their trend and that their strategic form can bear fruit in the shortest possible time.
President Rouhani also called for expansion of the trade and banking relations between Iran and China and urged issuance of orders for finalization of draft agreements in this regard.
He appreciated the Chinese leadership for its cooperation with Iran in the on-going nuclear negotiations.
President Xi welcomed expansion of strategic ties with Iran and said, ‘In our view, relations between our countries enjoy an strategic aspect, but these ties need further enhancement.’
On nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 group of world powers, he said Beijing is interested in expedited conclusion of the talks as it believes they have entered the final state.
Xi also said that he will issue the orders on follow-up and acceleration of bilateral economic cooperation with Iran.
IRNA
R.S