Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 9
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Russian President Vladimir Putin phone talked on Jan. 9, Mehr news agency reported.
The two sides discussed regional and international issues including the Syria crisis, Iraq, terrorism and extremism as well as aspects of the bilateral relations.
Rouhani and Putin also discussed implementation of the Geneva nuclear deal, the report said.
Commenting on the deal, Rouhani underlined that the parties should fulfill their commitments.
He also praised Russia's role in the issue, saying that Russia's positive role will lead to finalizing the nuclear deal as soon as possible.
Iran and the P5+1 reached a nuclear agreement on Nov. 24 in Geneva. Iran agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities for six months in return for sanctions relief.
Commenting on the Geneva 2 international peace conference Rouhani said that any meeting without the presence of effective participants will not be able to solve the problem in Syria.
The Geneva 2 peace conference is a proposed UN backed international conference to take place in Geneva with the aim of ending the Syrian civil war and is scheduled to be held on Jan. 22.
The Geneva 2 conference is defeated, even before it will be held, Iranian president said.
The Russian president, for his part, underlined that Iran with its primary role in the region should participate in the Geneva 2.
Putin went on to say that, setting preconditions for Iran's attendance in the conference is not helpful and constructive.
He expressed hope that Russia can convince its political partners in the need for Iran's presence at the Geneva 2.
Washington has opposed Iran's attendance at Geneva 2 because it has not signed up to a core element of the so-called 'Geneva 1' framework. This says a future Syrian government must be formed by 'mutual consent' of the authorities and the opposition, a stance the United States says means Syrian President Bashar al-Assad cannot stay in power.