Reshetnikov: Russia continues to implement agreements with Iran under external pressure

17 March 2023

Russia and Iran continue the implementation of important agreements, despite the external pressure, Russia's Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said at the 29th International Tourism and Hospitality Industry Exhibition MITT.


"In conditions of external pressure we continue to implement projects that are important to our countries and launch new ones. The second stage of the nuclear power plant (Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant - TASS) is under construction, oil fields are being developed and the railway connection is being modernized," the minister reminded. - "On the agenda is the organization of the construction of the Resht-Astara section of the railroad. Just yesterday, at the congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the president spoke about the importance of this project. It is a necessary step for strengthening of a role of the North-South transport corridor."


Reshetnikov has underlined that Iran is an important partner for Russia. On the basis of mutual respect and trust the dialogue between the countries has been developing for many years at the level of heads of states, governments and parliaments, the minister said. According to him, during this time, good results have been achieved in strengthening trade and economic cooperation.


"Last year we reached a record figure for trade turnover. Over the past three years, it has grown by 2.5 times due to the work of the intergovernmental commission, the development of partnership contacts between business. A great impetus to this cooperation was given by the implementation of a temporary agreement on a free trade zone between the Eurasian Union and Iran. We expect to sign a full-fledged agreement in the near future. To fix on a permanent basis the lowered duties for import of important food products for our countries", said the head of the MED.


Reshetnikov also recalled that this year it is planned to sign a memorandum in the tourism sector. "Already now we can see: the interest of tourists to trips to our countries increases mutually. We practically returned to the pre-pandemic indicators of the tourist flow. Last year more than 22 thousand Russians visited Iran and more than 20 thousand Iranians visited Russia",  he said and added that taking into account the growing demand a new direct flight will be launched from March 28.


"It will be possible to fly to Tehran not only from Moscow, but also from Kazan. And vice versa. We expect that this will create an additional impetus for the growth of tourist flow," he concluded.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Federation Council

Based on materials from TASS