Presidents of Russia and Iran discussed questions of economic cooperation

Presidents of Russia and Iran Vladimir Putin and Mohammad Khatami who met in Ashkhabad on Wednesday within the framework of the summit of five Caspian states discussed the questions of economic cooperation, the work of the Caspian summit and the situation in the Middle East. As deputy head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Prikhodko said, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his support of Iran's proposal to hold the next forum of the Caspian Five in Teheran. The concrete time of the meeting was not discussed. Vladimir Putin and Mohammad Khatami also analyzed in brief what has been done by the two countries to implement the accords reached by the presidents of the two countries at the previous meetings. According to Prikhodko, the growth of goods turnover between Russia and Iran which has reached nearly one billion dollars is noted. The presidents link further intensification of trade and economic relations with the work of the intergovernmental commissions of both countries, Prikhodko noted. According to him, Putin and Khatami discussed the situation in the Middle East, having voiced their common concern over its aggravation. They also touched upon the theme of the struggle against international terrorism.