Najjar in Moscow

From IRNA:

Visiting Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said that expansion of ties with Russia is one of Iran's priorities and at the focus of its officials' attention.

In a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov, he added his country views deepening relations with Russia as strategic.

Referring to the two countries' geopolitical locations, scientific and technological capabilities and rich energy sources, Najjar noted that efforts to safeguard their countries' independence and national sovereignty are among the common characteristics of Iranian and Russian leaders.

Growing cooperation between the two countries is rooted in their strategic perspectives, he said.

Najjar listed drug smuggling, terrorism, extremist measures and NATO's expansion to the east as among the major threats to regional peace and stability.

Stating that today's international developments require renewed ties, he expressed his country's readiness to enhance ties in all fields.

Serdyukov, for his part, called for further development of bilateral ties.

Pointing to the two countries' common stances vis-à-vis regional issues, he underlined the active role of Iran and Russia in solving regional issues and promoting peace and stability.

The two sides stressed the need to continue talks on defense and technical issues and promoting cooperation between the two countries.

Najjar arrived in Moscow late on Monday on a four-day visit to the country at the official invitation of Serdyukov.