Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi discussed the situation in Syria in a telephone conversation and noted the importance of the Astana process as a mechanism for resolving the situation in the Arab republic, the Kremlin press service reported on Thursday following the conversation.
"The situation in Syria was touched upon. The sides noted the importance to continue close coordination within the framework of the Astana process as a key mechanism for facilitating the Syrian settlement," the statement reads.
The Russian and Iranian leaders also cooperated in the energy and transport sectors.
"The sides discussed topical issues of bilateral relations, including cooperation in the energy and transport spheres," the report said.
The press service said the Russian and Iranian leaders also agreed "to maintain contacts at various levels."
Putin and Raisi spoke the previous time on January 11. During their telephone conversation, they spoke in favor of consistent implementation of mutually beneficial projects in the energy and transport and logistics spheres, as well as positively assessed the coordination of efforts within the Astana process for the Syrian settlement.
Russia, Turkey and Iran are guarantors of a peaceful solution to the Syrian conflict. They also initiated the format of the political settlement in Syria, which became known as the Astana process (negotiations started in January 2017 in the capital of Kazakhstan).
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS