Iran is ready to engage in the abolition of visas for tourist groups from Russia after signing an agreement on visa facilitation, the Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei said.
"A visa-free regime is important both for trade and development of tourism between the two countries. A certain category of citizens can get a long-term visa to Iran for five years," TASS cited him as saying.
"Now we are negotiating on abolishing visas for tourist groups and hope that the negotiations will be successful. Russia and Iran have great potential in the field of bilateral cooperation in all areas, as we are strategic partners. We have excellent opportunities for development in both the economic and tourism sectors," the Iranian diplomat noted.
"Iran wants to keep Russia as a partner. Iran will also participate in the Russian market," Sanai said, complaining that the trade turnover between Russia and Iran is too small and does not correspond to the level of political relations between the two countries.
"We have great potential, which needs to be implemented. Both countries are energy exporters. Several Russian companies are in talks to build a gas pipeline now," Sanai recalled.
He expressed hope that the construction of the new power unit will begin in March 2016. "Iran is open to foreign companies, but Russia has priority in the Iranian market," he said.
