(IRNA) - Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Head of Russia's Federal Atomic Agency Sergei Kirnienco emphasized the need for creating new potentials for boosting economic ties.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the two countries' Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, the two countries' top political officials said that the objective could be achieved through full activating of that joint commission and establishment of expert surveillance groups, reports Trend.
Considering the convening of the commission as a good opportunity for improvement of ties, Mottaki reiterated, "The representatives of various organs and ministries in Iran and Russia, relying on exchange of ideas, are doing their best to expand bilateral ties to an extent to match the two countries' prestige."
He added, "Their efforts are aimed to take optimum advantage of this gathering as another step towards taking full advantage of the potentials in Iran and Russia to serve both nations' interests to greatest extent."
Our country's foreign minister referred to the long history of Iran-Russia relations and both countries' ancient histories, adding, "That is while historic determination has also dictated ups and downs in course of those long lasting ties in certain eras."
Mottaki emphasized, "The important point is that our two countries have never remained indifferent toward the developments in one another's territory, and any development in one has resulted in various developments in the other."
He drew conclusion, "Therefore, maintaining a comprehensive relation, broad cooperation, and excellent ties for our two countries is an inescapable necessity."
The Iranian top diplomat said, "Now, too, in this historic era, we witness the fruitful cooperation between the IRI and the Russian Federation, taking advantage of which would pave the path for continual cooperation in the future."
Mottaki added, "This Commission intends to survey the level of the present economic cooperation between the two countries and to devise the executive and operational plan for our future ties."
The Iranian FM emphasized, "Membership at regional and international economic groups should not be considered contradictory with two neighbor countries of Iran and Russia's fruitful
cooperation."
Mottaki added, "Among the issues that need to be surveyed at this gathering there is the trade balance between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, that in unbalanced."
He said, "Quite naturally, the IRI must take advantage of its friendly neighbor, Russian Federation's, scientific and technological experience and know-how, but making up for the huge imbalance in our bilateral trade ties can be compensated by commissioning Iranian contractors to implement joint projects in Russian territory, or to do them jointly with Russian contractors."
Kirnienco, too, on his part expressed delight over the results of the expert level joint commission, arguing, "The entire spectrum of issues in mind of both sides has been put to technical discussions and the results of technical talks is approved by us."
He added, "On existence of broad unused potentials, Moscow's evaluation, too, is that they have not been employed sufficiently." Head of Russia's Federal Atomic Energy focusing on priorities for joint cooperation, said, "The most significant field of our joint work is putting to use the Bushehr Nuclear Plant, over which we reached good agreements last September, and dynamic activities are observed for pursuing of that project."
Kirnienco pointed out that the Russian leadership is determined to take advantage of the broad spectrum of unused potentials for boosting cooperation with Iran.
He reiterated, "Many Russian firms are ready for making investments in Iran and that provided a good ground for presence at tender for construction of Tabas Power Plant."
The Russian top nuclear official concluded his remarks arguing, the two countries' good ties should not be subjected to political processes and economic ties should proceed based on pre-planned schedules, regardless of all other developments."