Qalibaf made the remarks in a meeting with Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin, who arrived in Tehran on Sunday night, expressing satisfaction that the COVID-19 restrictions came to an end and both sides can hold the third meeting of a joint parliamentary committee.
The Iranian speaker pointed to the long time between the second and third meetings, saying that important developments occurred at regional and international levels in this period; so, Moscow and Tehran witnessed the expansion of interactions in various sectors.
Both sides have reached the conclusion that mutual ties between Russia and Iran are of great importance, he said, hoping that the parliaments of both countries can help speed up the strategic political and economic cooperation in 2023.
Authorities in Russia and Iran are well aware that the bilateral, multilateral, national, and regional developments are experiencing a turning point, and that time is the most significant element in decision-making, he added.
Calling for focusing on the future, Qalibaf said that the 25-year strategic partnership plan should be implemented in the shortest time possible.
Volodin, for his part, said that Iran-Russia ties improved in a positive path, and friendly relations between heads of state of both sides indicate the appropriate mutual ties of the two nations.
The Russian Duma makes all-out efforts to pave the way for implementation of the decisions made by the joint parliamentary commission, he said, expressing hope that the third meeting will reach good results to guarantee the interests of both countries, and create new structures to deepen bilateral ties.
He further said that he is hopeful the strategic partnership plan would be inspected by the presidents of both countries in the near future; arguing that the contract is not only a strategic accord but it is a foundation to develop cooperation in all sectors.
On challenges and threats ahead of both states, he noted that Iran and Russia have been facing challenges for a long period and that the threats cannot hinder the development of relations between Tehran and Moscow.
According to the Russian official, the main objective of sanctions is to maintain the United States' hegemony in the world, but we (Iran and Russia) defend our own national sovereignty and determine our own fate and policies.
The third meeting of the joint parliamentary commission is scheduled to address energy, transportation, agriculture, banking, security, and regional cooperation.
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