Speaking at a press conference alongside his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, Abdolahian stressed that existing cooperation agreements prove that bilateral relations are strategic and privileged.

‘Russia is a priority in our foreign policy and we consider it a strategic partner,’ the visitor said after holding talks with his host.

He reported that in the dialogue the parties agreed to start soon to discuss a proposal for strengthening ties and added that his government is ready to submit its views on this matter in writing.

‘This will be a new roadmap for our long-term bilateral cooperation,’ he stated.

According to Abdolahian, obstacles to qualitative progress in bilateral relations, especially in the trade and economic fields, need to be identified and removed.

He stressed that over 70 percent of the country’s citizens have been vaccinated, ‘so we do not see any obstacles for our businessmen to come to Russia to develop mutual contacts and increase their business activities.’ To Abdolahian, both nations have a significant economic potential, on the basis of which they can achieve a decisive increase in trade turnover.

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