Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, met with members of the Iranian Majlis, led by Ebrahim Azizi, Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee. The parties discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in the context of the Russia-Iran Strategic Partnership Treaty, which has entered into force, including in the economic and energy spheres, as well as international issues, including the situation in Syria.
Leonid Slutsky noted that the signed comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran is unique in global practice. “One of the objectives that facilitated the swift signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement is the crucial, infrastructure-significant North-South International Transport Corridor project, which will become an alternative to the Suez Canal and the Black Sea Straits for the movement of cargo and containers from the Indian Ocean region to St. Petersburg and on to Europe, where these goods will arrive several times faster and at a lower cost,” said Leonid Slutsky.
Speaking about the development of interparliamentary cooperation, he emphasized that joint meetings of the parliamentary committees of Russia and Iran should be held regularly. “Our interaction is time-tested and has been implemented in various formats. The traditions of cooperation must be continued,” concluded Leonid Slutsky.
Ebrahim Azizi, for his part, pointed out the common challenges facing Russia and Iran. “There are certain common challenges to which we must pay due attention. “We are neighbors on the Caspian route, and we must also intensify our development via the Caspian route,” he said.
Ebrahim Azizi also noted that relations between Russia and Iran have developed rapidly in recent years, and the countries have become a strategic alliance. “Despite all the difficulties over the past few years, our relations have developed confidently and rapidly, and are still developing… We are committed to long-term and in-depth cooperation,” Ebrahim Azizi emphasized.
Representing the Russian side, the meeting was attended by Defense Committee Chairman Andrei Kartapolov and First Deputy Chairmen of the International Affairs Committee Svetlana Zhurova, Shamsail Saraliev, and Dmitry Novikov.
