LOC20:02
17:02 GMT
MOSCOW, July 15 (KUNA) -- The Russian government Tuesday brushed aside
press reports suggesting Moscow's development of ties with Riyadh was at the
expense of freezing ties with Tehran.
Government spokesman Dmitiry Boskov was quoted by the Interfax news agency
as saying that halting cooperation with Iran was not a prerequisite to upgrade
military and technology cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Secretary of the National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan
signed, here yesterday, an agreement on military and technology cooperation.
Boskov said Russia was keen on boosting ties with Saudi Arabia in all
domains.
He also underlined that Moscow was also working on developing ties with
neighboring countries including Iran.
Russian Kommersant newspaper has reported that Saudi Arabia urged Russia to
cease its "worrying" cooperation with Iran. (end)
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KUNA 152002 Jul 08NNNN