Moscow, Tehran ink deals on developing specialized cooperation
By Sara Rajabova
Long-time allies Iran and Russia have intensified efforts to raise bilateral cooperation to a higher level.
Officials from the two countries stated that the recent nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the six world powers has unlocked new opportunities for the development of Tehran-Moscow relations.
Iran and Russia inked a number of science and technology agreements on August 27 in a bid to develop specialized cooperation.
The agreements were signed during a meeting of Sourena Sattari, the Vice-President for Science and Technology Affairs, with the respective Russian officials.
The documents cover extensive cooperation in advanced technology such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, aerospace technology and engineering services, IRNA news agency reported.
At the meeting, Russian side voiced readiness for the expansion of all-out cooperation with Iran.
Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's deputy prime minister in charge of the defense industry said Iran and Russia will continue cooperation in nuclear energy.
The expansion of cooperation would be in the fields of aviation, shipbuilding, and aerospace industry, the Russian official added.
Rogozin said Russian companies are keen on cooperation with Iran in defense.
The Russian and Iranian officials also reviewed different areas for cooperation in aerospace, including satellites and satellite-carriers.
In the meantime, Tehran hopes to open credit lines in Russia in order to develop closer trade relations.
Sattari told the Russian Kommersant daily during his Moscow visit that the main thing now is to sort out interaction in the banking systems and open credit lines, creating the necessary grounds for the development of trade cooperation between the two countries.
Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the lifting of sanctions against Iran would eliminate all barriers to trade and economic cooperation between Iran and Russia.
The imposition of sanctions on Iran has also negatively affected Russian-Iranian cooperation.
Before the introduction of sanctions by Western countries on Iran in 2011, Russian exports to Iran amounted to $3.4 billion, while imports from Iran were at $350 million. But in 2013 these figures were changed$1.2 billion and $433 million.
In 2014, Iran’s exports to Russia amounted to $355 million, while total trade turnover reached some $1.7 billion.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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