Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan agree on boosting economic, security cooperation

TEHRAN, Nov 1 (KUNA) -- Leaders of Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan on Wednesday agreed on beefing up economic and security cooperation.
"In addition to economic issues, we discussed regional issues such as safeguarding the region, fighting terrorism and drug trafficking and also Iran-Russia cooperation in maintaining stability and security in Syria," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a joint news conference with presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan.
He welcomed Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Iran and lauded their keenness on enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation in various domains.
"Transit between the three countries and also between Asia and Europe is the first decision that has been made by Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia," Rouhani said.
"Friendship, geographical neighborliness and cultural relations among the three countries made us determined to take advantage of the capacity of trilateral relations.
"We aim to facilitate economic relations among three countries." He noted that the improving banking ties and paving the grounds for three countries to use their national currencies in bilateral and trilateral trade exchanges were among other topics discussed by the parties.
"We can develop cooperation in producing and exploring oil and in investing in the energy field," he said.
The Iranian president unveiled that Iran is also after finalizing the Caspian Sea project legal framework to take advantage of Caspian Sea potential.
The trilateral meeting was held this evening aiming to reinforce cooperation among Tehran, Moscow and Baku.
Maintaining cooperation to finalize railway and road infrastructures within the framework of North-South Transport Corridor and following up agreements already signed on transit issues were among the most important topics which were discussed by the three parties. (pickup previous) fz.ibi