Russia and Iran are expected to conclude arms trade contracts before the end of the year, likely to bring Russia up to $300 million annually, Russia’s official news agency (Interfax) reported Sunday, quoting Deputy General Director of the Russian arms trader Rosoboronexport Viktor Komardin.
The first contracts may be signed by the beginning of summer, Komardin said, adding that concrete aspects of military-technical cooperation were discussed during Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev's visit to Teheran in December 2000.
After the successful visit, Russia announced a "new chapter" in its military relations with Iran in a move that further annoyed Washington after Moscow's decision to resume weapons sales to Tehran.
Sergeyev said the two nations would "develop their military cooperation in all fields," after holding three days of talks in the first Tehran visit by a Moscow defense chief in more than 20 years.
"We've just opened a new chapter in our relations, marked by the reopening of military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran," he said at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Shamkhani.
"The complete trust between the two countries has created the appropriate grounds for a deepening of bilateral relations," he said, while Shamkhani added: "This is a historic day." – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
