MNA � Iranian minister who is in Moscow to chair Iran-Russia�s Joint Commission for Cooperation said more than 11 documents are expected to be signed between the two countries during Pres. Rouhani�s upcoming visit to Russia.


ICT Minister Mahmoud Vaezi made the remark during the talks of the Iranian delegation with the Russian side on Monday in Moscow, adding �we had good talks on oil and gas cooperation and it was decided that negotiations would continue to finalize the contracts in the remaining time before President Rouhani�s visit to Moscow in late March.�

Vaezi maintained that in addition to the documents currently being prepared to be signed during Rouhani�s visit, the two sides were hoping to reach an agreement on a roadmap for medium or long-term cooperation.

According to Vaezi, the oil-gas contract currently being negotiated between the sides includes a daily export of 100,000 barrels of Iranian oil to Russia.

�Although the value of trade ties between Tehran and Moscow had a 70-80 per cent increase in 2016�as compared to 2015, the capacity for cooperation between the two sides is much higher than this,� he said. �Luckily, we have made good progress on customs relations, such as reaching an agreement on creating a 'green customs corridor'�to facilitate the cargo transportation.�

Vaezi also called for the improvement of banking ties, implementation of joint projects in Iran such as railway electrification from Garmsar to Incheh Borun, as well as closer�economic cooperation between Tehran and Eurasian Union.

On Monday, Vaezi held separate talks with Russian Energy Minister Alexander�Novak who heads Iran-Russia�s Joint Commission for Cooperation on the Russian side, and Russia�s first Deputy Prime Minister�Igor Shuvalov.

In addition to trade cooperation, Iran and Russia hold close ties on various regional activities such as the fight against terrorism and oil policies.