TEHRAN – Figures from Russia and Iran held their first round of talks on media cooperation in Tehran on Wednesday.

The Russian side was headed by Deputy Minister for Digital Development and Communications Alexey Volin. The Iranian side was also represented by Deputy Culture Minister Mohammad Soltanifar and Culture Ministry director for foreign media Alireza Shiravi.

Soltanifar said media cooperation between the two countries is not as robust as political cooperation. “We are hopeful that through bilateral efforts, we will boost such cooperation,” he said.

Volin, for his part, reported that some 20 topics for boosting media cooperation between Iran and Russia have been mapped out and the sides are refining the platform on which to conduct the cooperation. He said the topics include exchanging news, sharing technical expertise, and raising the professional level of reporters.

Volin added that representatives from Sputniknews and Itar-TASS were present in the meeting and were planning to work with respective partners.

Also, he noted, representatives of two Russian media outlets are planning to open a permanent cooperation office in Iran.

The two countries also agreed to improve sharing of news and knowhow in the field of visual media, the Russian official added.

SP/PA