Raisi-Putin Talks Could Map Out Roadmap for Ties

Iranian Ambassador in Moscow Kazem Jalali said on Tuesday that President Ebrahim Raisi’s upcoming trip to Moscow could help shape the roadmap for cooperation between the two nations. 
“The president’s trip to Russia will be a turning point in the two countries’ history,” Jalali was quoted as saying by IRNA. 
Raisi is set to visit Moscow in the early days of January at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 
Jalali pointed to the added significance of the trip due to recent international developments and regional conflicts that will be discussed in the meeting. 
Russia has played a central role in the talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal as one of the parties to the accord, one of the subjects that will be talked over. 
According to Jalali, the approaching trip was part of the Foreign Ministry’s policy to prioritize forging regional alliances.  
“One of the first priorities of the new administration is the expansion of ties with neighboring countries,” he said and referred to the potential of closer relations with the regional power. 
A wide range of topics will be discussed by the two top officials that will cover regional and international issues and bilateral ties. 
On the renewal of a 20-year old deal for cooperation, Jalali pointed out that the agreement cannot be finalized before the two presidents are scheduled to meet. 
“The first draft of the deal has been drawn up by Iran, naturally it will take time for the Russian party to comment on it,” the ambassador said. 
The parliaments of Russia and Iran need to vote in favor of the treaty before it can be renewed for another five years. 
In March, Jalali announced that Iran and Russia had agreed to extend a deal that was signed in 2001 by then president Mohammad Khatami. 
One of the terms of the agreement stipulated that parties to the deal could move to extend the agreement for five years one year before it expires. 
Jalali said, “The agreement belongs to 20 years ago, it needed to be updated. Therefore, top ranking officials of the two countries held talks and agreed to an update.”