Velayati: Iran, Russia relations strategic, comprehensive

EghtesadOnline: Head of the Center for Strategic Studies affiliated to the Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati said on Wednesday that the current relations and cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia are strategic and comprehensive.

News ID: ۷۳۵۹۶۷

17 August 2016

He told reporters that Iran and Russia have developed strategic ties to advance the international campaign against terrorism, according to IRNA.
Velayati made the remarks after his meeting with Austrian vice-chancellor and former foreign minister and Director General of international center for political studies and policy making for immigrants Michael Spindelegger in Tehran.
Iran considers the agenda to develop ties with the Eastern countries and focused on strategic ties with Russia and China to advance its new foreign policy, he said.
Velayati said that Iran and Russia enhanced level of cooperation in line with international campaign against terrorism.
Velayati expressed indignation at violaton of international law by the US and its allies including the Israeli regime in the course of aggression on Syria, Lebanon and Iraq and said that they sought to destroy the resistance movement to Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and topple the Syrian legitimate government and brought in professional mercenaries from 80 countries to massacre innocent people in the region.

Velayati said that the Iranian and Russian governments have decided to stand against such developments.

In recent months, Iran and Russia have signed various agreements to stand against transregional aggression on sovereign nations, he said, adding that the two sides have inked a defense pact and have adopted a comprehensive and strategic cooperation.

Tehran does not accept the US interpretation of Iran and Russia cooperation, Velayati said.

The US interpretation of Iran's measures is not acceptable, as they make interpretation to their own benefit but Iran moves in line with the international law and regulations and never accepts the US interpretation, he said.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to defend its regional allies and to the same reason Iran defends Syria, he said.

Iran's assistance to Syria and Iraq take place upon the request made by their legitimate governments but presence of US and its allies such as Saudi Arabia in Syria are against the Syrian legal government and their presence is regarded as illegal, Velayati said.
Austria has adopted positive stands about the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said.
In the meeting with Austrian delegation, the two sides discussed expansion of mutual relations and cooperation and broadening cooperation on mutual and regional developments mainly in Western Asia and Northern Africa, Velayati said.
Prospect of cooperation between Iran and Europe was among topics discussed between the two sides.