TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Russian Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko on Monday called for further efforts to strengthen “strategic” ties between Tehran and Moscow.

They also discussed the expansion of trade relations and explored ways to implement the agreements reached between the two countries.

Heading a parliamentary delegation, Matviyenko arrived in Tehran on Sunday afternoon for meetings with President Hassan Rouhani and other senior Iranian officials.

“Advancing parliamentary relations, bilateral cooperation and increasing convergence on the Middle East, especially the fight against terrorism in Syria are topics of her negotiations with senior Iranian officials,” IRNA quoted her as saying before her departure to Tehran.

The chairperson of Federation Council, the Russian upper house of parliament, also met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on Monday.

Matviyenko lauded Iran’s nuclear deal, noting it has provided the conditions for closer cooperation in various areas including industry, science and culture. 

“We should use this potential to the benefit of both countries,” she noted.

Larijani, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the expansion of cooperation between Iran and Russia and described the meeting “constructive” and “fruitful”.

MH/PA