Russian and Iranian Presidents Discuss Enhancing Energy Cooperation and Middle East Developments

Moscow -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, discussed on Tuesday the developments in the Middle East region and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of oil, gas, and nuclear energy, and stressed the importance of continuing coordination on regional and international issues. The Russian presidency said in a statement carried by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that Putin met Pezeshkian in Moscow on the sidelines of the eighth summit of heads of state and government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, describing the summit’s proceedings as productive and noting that he discussed the situation in the Middle East with the Iranian president during a bilateral meeting. RIA Novosti quoted Putin as saying that the volume of trade between Russia and Iran rose by 10.4 percent during the first eight months of this year, affirming Moscow’s commitment to developing relations with Tehran and fulfilling its obligations related to joint projects between the two countries. He added that “construction work on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant is ongoing,” expressing hope that the situation in the Middle East would develop positively and reiterating Moscow’s continued welcome of visits by the Iranian president. The meeting comes amid ongoing regional tensions and their repercussions on energy markets and supply security, underscoring the importance of consultations among oil and gas-producing countries on geopolitical developments and their economic implications. In another regional development, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Moscow’s readiness to provide effective assistance in resolving the Yemeni crisis, considering national dialogue the optimal path to reaching a solution to the crisis. (End) D.A.N. / R.J.