Russian PM says hopes Iranian president’s visit will open new page in Russia-Iran relations

GORKI, March 27. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday he hopes the current visit to Russia by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will open a new page in relations between the two countries. "Currently, our countries have very cordial and advanced relations and your visit will help make them even more close," Medvedev said at a meeting with the Iranian president. "I would like to express confidence that your visit will open a new page in the Russian-Iranian cooperation." The Iranian president, in turn, noted "positive dynamics" in relations between his country and Russia in the recent years. ""President [Vladimir] Putin’s visit to Teheran is seen as a new starting point in the development of bilateral relations. I hope we will see another turning point in the development of relations during this visit," Rouhani said. According to Russia’s Federal Customs Service, trade between Russia and Iran increased by 70.1 percent in 2016 to exceed 2.18 billion U.S. dollars. Russia’s exports grew by 85.1 percent to reach 1.88 billion U.S. dollars, and imports from Iran increased by 13.2 percent, to 302 million U.S. dollars. Russia’s main exports to Iran are machinery and equipment, food products, metals, timber and chemicals. Basic imports from Iran in 2016 were food products and agricultural raw materials (77 percent), chemicals (more than 16 percent), machinery and equipment, mineral products and textiles. The Iranian president is currently on an official visit to Russia at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Talks between the two leaders are planned for March 28. Read more