Lavrov says Moscow, Tehran think alike about most global affairs
MOSCOW. Aug 29 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is set to discuss negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program and bilateral issues with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif who is visiting Moscow.
"I expect we will discuss international affairs, the progress made regarding the Iranian nuclear program, and bilateral issues," Lavrov said in his opening remarks at the Friday meeting with Zarif.
"Our cooperation is immune to short-term factors," the Russian minister underscored.
Moscow-Tehran relations are time-tested and the latest contacts between their leaders have given a boost to the government efforts fostering practical cooperation in every field, he said.
"Our partnership is based on the similarity of opinions on most global affairs alongside the history of our bilateral relations... We are confident Iran must be a full fledged participant in these processes," Lavrov said, adding that many conflicts had been emerging in the Middle East and Central Asia.
In turn, Zarif said it was his third visit to Moscow in 2014. "There will be two meetings at the summit level before the end of this year," he added.
Iranian Ambassador in Moscow Mehdi Sanaei told Interfax earlier the Russian and Iranian leaders would meet at summits of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Caspian Sea littoral states in Astrakhan.
In the opinion of the Iranian minister, Russia and Iran may hold a key role in the fight against extremism. The sides had a similar opinion on those issues, and "those who chose a different point of view made a strategic mistake," he said.
