Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov attended the meeting from the Russian side.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Mokhber, friends. I am very pleased to see you and to welcome everyone.
I would like to begin by saying that Iran-Russia relations are truly friendly and constructive. I am confident that our relations will grow stronger regardless of the outcome of the elections in your country. We wish the Iranian people a successful second round.
Notably, last year our trade slightly adjusted downward, decreased, but this year it grew by 14 percent as compared to the same period the year before.
The free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran will certainly contribute to the further strengthening of our economic ties.
The member states of the organisation are reviewing Iran’s application for observer state status at the EAEU. For our part, we support it.
Tourist flows are expanding as well. The number of Russian tourists to Iran has increased by a quarter.
Notably, our approaches to key items on the international agenda overlap. We are united by the desire to create a multipolar world order, to observe all statutes of international law, and to preserve the central role of the United Nations.
Please convey my best wishes for continued good health and well-being to the Supreme Leader of Iran Mr Khamenei.
Acting Head of the Executive Branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Mokhber (retranslated): I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for your condolences and telephone calls, which were truly comforting for us.
The strategy of establishing very close and deep relations with the Russian Federation was devised by Iran’s spiritual leader, who oversees its implementation.
First, I would like to convey the greetings and best wishes from Iran’s spiritual leader and express my gratitude for your dedication in promoting our work. I would also like to thank you for sending a high-level delegation to honour the memory of our late President.
According to the spiritual leader, our relations with Russia are so deep and enduring that no changes in the government can harm them.
It is evident that the strategic relations between Iran and Russia interfere with the global dominance equation, and the unilateral system has already become obsolete.
Special thanks should be extended to the late President Raisi for his sincere efforts which enabled us to elevate Iranian-Russian relations to a new level.
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