TEHRAN(Basirat): Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message read out in the inauguration ceremony of the international conference on 'Iran, Russia – Five Centuries Cooperation described Iran and Russia as 'two deep-rooted states with old historical background'.
In the message which was read out by Iran's Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi
Sanaei, Zarif said that the two countries have great civilization and
cultural manifestations like world-known scholars such as Hafiz, Sa'adi,
Ferdowsi, Tolstoy, Chekhov and Pushkin, who are sources of honor of the
world literature.
The Iranian foreign minister wrote that
relations between the two countries had ups and downs with sweet and
bitter memories, but now expansion of these relations is not only
beneficial for both states, but an important element in establishment of
security and stability in the Central Asia and the Middle East.
Exchanging
views between elites and scientific, cultural experts in this
conference is a new opportunity to promote cultural diplomacy to
consolidate mutual cooperation, Zarif wrote.
Sanaei in his speech
addressed to the conference underlined the necessity for expansion of
research cooperation between the two states to offer new development
ideas in bilateral relations.
He said that Iran and Russia should develop their all-out relations which is very needed.
In
the wake of international and regional developments, cooperation
between Iran and Russia is needed and this cooperation supported peace
and stability in Syria, reduced the role of terrorists and increased the
role of legitimate governments.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also sent a message to the conference.
The conference was held by Russia's Oriental Studies Institute by support of Iran's embassy in Moscow.
Source:IRNA