Russian, Iranian MPs discuss expansion of relations

MP Mikhail Margelov, the chairman of the Federation Council (upper house of the Russian parliament) International Affairs Committee, met with the Iranian chairman of the Iran-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group, MP Kazem Jalali, here on Tuesday.Jalali expressed satisfaction about the expansion of Iran-Russia relations, saying, “Russia and Iran share many common points at the strategic level, the most important of which being the two countries’ opposition to the current unipolar world system.”Iran and Russia have great potential for increasing their cooperation to the optimal level, which has not been reached yet, he noted.

Jalali cited the Western orientation of some of the two countries’ lower-level decision-makers as an obstacle to the expansion of relations and called on officials to try to develop a deeper understanding of the economic and industrial potential of Iran and Russia.

He also stressed the importance of economic cooperation between the two nations’ provinces for efforts to strengthen ties.

Margelov called for the further development of Iran-Russia relations, especially their parliamentary ties.

He mentioned that his delegation included members of parliament from various areas of Russia, adding that the Russian Federation Council seeks to expand relations with Iran in every area.

Special attention should be paid to relations between the two countries’ provinces in the areas of the economy and trade, he suggested.