Ali Akbar Velayati arrived in Moscow on Monday for a number of visits with high-profile political officials of the Russian Federation. On Tuesday, he met with Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, and they discussed Syrian crisis where both countries have been engaged fighting terrorism.
Patrushev said that Iran and Russia had common positions on fighting terrorism and extremist circles in the region, and “we will continue working together to help the region embrace stability and peace.”
“Removal of sanctions leaves us with ample opportunities to serious review of the mutual ties and move to better conditions in the light of the changes in Iranian setting,” he added. “Russia is fully prepared for such transformation in relations with Iran and would hail making much of the new environment in trade and business.”
Velayati for his part, believed that Iran and Russia shared strategic long-term and irreversible relations in the region and bilaterally as well; “we are now on the brink of a unique chapter where both sides work to extend bilateral ties, to cope with the situation newly created,” said Mr. Velayati.
About the region, Velayati criticized the general trend and ‘unfavorable situation in the region’ where terrorists and extremists had destabilized the region with support of their regional tacit backers and their international supporters as well; in the face of this, Velayati however provided the close collaboration of Iran and Russia, who he emphasized, “have been resolved to fight these extremist groups and have been watching their movements closely.”
“Iran has always been firm on its highly principled positions and has taken necessary steps to fight terrorism and Takfirism in line with its proclaimed position of supporting peace,” Mr. Velayati told Patrushev.
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