Rouhani, Putin discuss military, nuclear power ties: Moscow

The two presidents discussed “military-technological cooperation, cooperation in the military field, in particular, an exchange in missions of naval ships, which are taking place intensively now and which will continue,” during a Thursday meeting in Ufa, according Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov.

The Russian official further said Putin also praised Tehran-Russia cooperation in the nuclear power sector and discussed with Rouhani the options for further enhancing bilateral relations in this domain.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the joint summits of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Russian city of Ufa.

During the talks, Rouhani praised Russia’s efforts to facilitate the progress of ongoing negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1 states aimed at reaching a comprehensive nuclear deal, Russian media reported.

“I consider it my duty to thank Russia for the efforts it has made in resolving and negotiating the Iranian nuclear program, and for the personal efforts made by Mr. [Foreign Minister Sergei] Lavrov,” said the Iranian president.

Rouhani further highlighted Moscow’s “outstanding role” in both regional and international issues, according to the reports.

 

 

According to the Iranian president’s website, Rouhani also pointed to rising terror threats in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for collective cooperation to deal with the challenges facing the region.

The Iranian chief executive renewed calls for a political solution to the deadly crisis in Syria, saying Tehran and Moscow, which have both stood by the Syrian nation, need to take more serious measure to uproot terrorism.

He also touched upon the chaotic situation in Yemen which has been exacerbated by the ongoing Saudi air raids, saying Iran and Russia should work to end the “tragedy” in Yemen and the massacre of civilians in the Arabian Peninsula state.

The Iranian president further described Iran-Russia ties “strategic,” calling for closer cooperation between the two nations in different domains, particularly the economic sphere.

Putin, in turn, described the Islamic Republic as his country’s “traditional reliable partner,” stressing that Tehran-Moscow relations “are developing and have been positive despite all the difficulties in the global economy and the well-known restrictions.”

“Overall, we can be content with the way our relations have developed. There are always issues that require our special attention, and I am glad of this opportunity to talk about it today,” added the Russian leader.

Putin stressed the necessity of broader interactions between Tehran and Moscow for the establishment of peace and security in Syria and the entire region.

The Russian president also expressed hope that the sensitive nuclear negotiations between Tehran and the six world powers would result in a comprehensive accord, according to Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.

“Putin noted the positive dynamic in the development of the talks over the Iranian nuclear program,” Peskov added.

The talks between Rouhani and Putin come amid last-ditch diplomatic efforts by Iran and the P5+1 – Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany – in Vienna, Austria, to work out a final agreement on the Iranian nuclear case.

Rouhani arrived in Russia on Wednesday night for a two-day visit, which comes at the invitation of Putin. The Iranian president is slated to take part in the summit of BRICS group of emerging powers — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – as a special guest.

He is also scheduled to address the SCO summit as a keynote speaker on the second day of his trip. He will have an observer seat at the event.