"We come out for the development of confidential dialogue with Iran in many spheres, taking into account the complicated regional situation. Moscow believes that Russian-Iranian good-neighborly relations are highly important for the national security of both countries and stability in the region and in the world," Mr. Mironov said.
According to him, President Mohammad Khatami's idea of the dialogue between civilizations received broad international support. "We share this approach and come out for active development of varied relations with all states and regions on the basis of the principles of non-interference in each other's domestic affairs and mutual benefit," the Federation Council speaker emphasized.
Russian-Iranian relations are based on the treaty on principles of Russian-Iranian relations and cooperation signed by the presidents of the two countries in March 2001, Sergei Mironov noted.
In his words, Russia ranks among Iran's top ten partners and bilateral trade totaled some $1.4 billion in 2003.
"However, this does not meet the potential of our countries," he noted.
"We have serious projects in the oil and gas, industry and energy spheres. We have created a legal basis for trade and economic cooperation and are working on its extension and improvement," he stressed.
"The sides have prepared a whole package of contracts in this sphere, with the parliaments of the two countries being involved in this process," the Federation Council speaker reported.
