Russia and Iran intend to coordinate efforts to combat the coronavirus, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Ilyas Umakhanov told at a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali, which was held in a videoconference mode.
"We stand in solidarity with the efforts that Iran is making to counter the spread of the epidemic. We know that you have achieved significant results in reducing mortality. The epidemic is a challenge for all countries. Russia and Iran are close friends and neighbors, and it is important for us to provide mutual support to each other," the Senator said.
Umakhanov positively assessed the interaction between the ministries of health, the exchange of experience in the field of methods of treatment of the coronavirus.
"This kind of cooperation is carried out on a systematic basis, there is a constant reconciliation of hours. Coordinating the efforts of the two countries is very important to overcome this common challenge, " the Vice-speaker said.
Jalali, in turn, informed about the measures taken in Iran to combat the coronavirus and expressed interest in sharing experience in medicine, as well as in the field of social support for citizens and businesses.
Rudenko discussed with the Ambassador of Iran the regional agenda
Telephone conversations with the Iranian ambassador were also held by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. The main topics of discussion, according to the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry, were the regional agenda, as well as the problems of South Caucasus and Central Asia.
"The sides conducted an in-depth exchange of views on the topical regional agenda and on other matters of mutual interest. They focused on South Caucasus and Central Asian topics," the message reads.
Moscow has repeatedly stated that they expect Tehran to ratify the Caspian Convention in 2020.
In August 2018, the heads of the Caspian five countries signed the Convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea in Aktau, Kazakhstan, a historic document for the region that has been working on for more than 20 years, since 1996.
The Convention was signed by the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The document assigns the five states exclusive and perfect rights to the Caspian sea, responsible development and use of its subsoil and other resources.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"