Iran eyeing closer ties with North Caucasus

Moscow will support Tehran’s initiatives to support Iranian studies, including in the North Caucasus, Russian Minister of North Caucasus Affairs Sergei Chebotarev said following a meeting with the Iranian Energy Minister, of the Joint Economic Commission of Iran and Russia on trade and economic cooperation Reza Ardakanian.

At the meeting in the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs, the parties discussed strategic areas of cooperation at the regional level, including in the Caspian region: the development of the transport and logistics structure of the region and adjacent territories, the simplification of mutual trade regimes, an increase in agricultural and industrial goods turnover, as well as an increase in investment activity. According to the negotiators, an integrated approach will significantly increase the trade turnover, which currently worth about $1.7 billion.

"The North Caucasus is rich in hydropower resources that can be used to develop the energy sector. But the hydro potential of the North Caucasus has not been yet sufficiently developed. We invite you as partners to cooperate in this direction," Sergey Chebotarev said.

Reza Ardakanian confirmed the prospects of bilateral cooperation, focusing on the tourism industry.

The participants in the meeting agreed that the promotion of relations in the spheres of science, education and culture can make an important contribution to the development of strategic partnership between the two countries.

"The Russian side, our ministry will support Iran's initiatives focusing on supporting Iranian studies, including in the North Caucasus. We will support a conference on Iranian studies, which will be held in a region of the North Caucasus. If we want to develop bilateral relations effectively, then the Russian side needs experts on Iran, who would deeply understand, feel and know Iranian culture, Iranian history, as well as those who understand modern Iran. This is the key to having effective bilateral relations in the future," Sergei Chebotarev stressed.