Iran Press/ Europe: In an exclusive interview with IRNA, Ramazan Abdulatipov added: "Iran is one of Moscow's historical partners in the region. Russia always defends the interests of Iran as its strategic partner, in the international arena."
According to Iran Press, Abdulatipov said: "We have good relations with the Iranians, and there are very good relations between the leaders of the two countries, so, expansion of relations (between two sides) is certainly possible."
Stating that there is a possibility of expanding cooperation in different areas, Abdulatipov said he recently visited the Iranian ministries of science and health in Tehran, arguing that cooperation between Tehran and Moscow in such areas as science, education, health and medicine is possible. He added: "Iranians, like us, want to expand cooperation."
The special representative of the Russian president for the states of the Caspian Sea also talked about creating 'a free trade zone', saying, "There is such a zone in Iran, and there is also a special economic zone - LOTUS - in Astrakhan."
He added, more than 1,000 companies are active in the free trade area that Iranians have founded, but there are five companies in LOTUS, so I suggested to the leaders of two free trade areas to create a common area.
Russia is determined to broaden its financial cooperation with Tehran despite US sanctions imposed on Iran.
Russia's energy minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with Bloomberg on October 4 that Russia continues to implement its oil deal with Iran, regardless of US sanctions.
In an interview with French daily Le Figaro on November 20, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described Russia as a very good political and trade partner for Iran. 101/ 211/ 202
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