Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian hailed their countries growing economic ties in a meeting in Turkmenistan.
Putin keen To deepen ties with the Global East and Global South
At odds with Washington and the European Union over Russia’s war in Ukraine, Putin is keen to deepen ties with the Global East and Global South.
Russia is hosting a summit of the BRICS nations in Kazan from October 22-24.
Pezeshkian Accepts Putin’s Invitation To Visit Russia
Putin has invited Pezeshkian to Russia on an official visit.
Russia’s state RIA news agency said that the Iranian leader accepted the proposal.
Russia And Iran To Boost Cooperation In Several Areas
Iran’s official IRNA news agency said that Pezeshkian told Putin that economically and culturally, their communications are gradually getting strengthened.
Russia’s TASS news agency quoted the Iranian president, as saying the two sides had agreed to boost cooperation in several areas.
Focus On Completion Of Projects
The Iranian leader said that the two sides have agreed to speed up the completion of projects in the gas sectors and in road and rail construction.
They will also expedite completion of projects related to desalination and those linked to energy, petrochemicals and electricity.
Pezeshkian last month committed his country to deeper ties with Russia to counter Western sanctions.
The two countries say they are close to signing a strategic partnership agreement, something Pezeshkian said on Friday he hoped could be finalised at the BRICS summit in Russia later this month.
U.S. Concerned Over Moscow’s Growing Relationship With Tehran
The United States regards Moscow’s growing relationship with Tehran with concern.
It has accused Iran of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for use in the conflict in Ukraine.
Tehran has denied this.
New World Order Emerging, Says Putin
The Kremlin said on Friday that Putin told the conference in the Central Asian country that a new world order was being formed.
Russia says cooperation with Iran is expanding in all areas.
Pezeshkian, according to IRNA, noted that Iran and Russia had significant complementary capacities and could assist each other.
“Our positions in the world are much closer to each other than to others,” he was quoted as telling the Russian leader.
Iranian Leader Said That Israel Should Stop Killing Innocent People
Pezeshkian said earlier that Israel should “stop killing innocent people”, and its actions in the Middle East were backed by the U.S. and EU.
Russia has also criticised Israel, which says it is protecting its own security, for bombing civilian areas.
New Centres Of Economic Growth
Putin said that new centres of economic growth and financial and political influence were emerging.
Russia supported “the broadest possible international discussion” on the emerging multipolar world.
(With inputs from Reuters)
