Iran–Russia strategic economic partnership

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Novak: cooperation agreement with Iran will be signed in September

Russia, Iran sign memorandum on closer trade and economic cooperation

The Russian-Iranian standing intergovernmental commission is expected to have its next regular meeting in Teheran on September 9 to 10 to look at concrete steps to implement trade expansion
AP Photo/Ronald Zak

MOSCOW, August 05. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding between the two countries’ governments expanding trade and economic cooperation in a number of areas, the Russian energy ministry said on Tuesday.

The document was signed by Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Iran’s Minister of Petroleum Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, who are co-chairmen of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. It provides for closer cooperation in a number of areas, including in the construction and overhaul of generating facilities, the development of electric grid infrastructure, in the oil and gas sector, and in the area of trade in machinery, equipment, consumer goods and farming products.

The Russian-Iranian standing intergovernmental commission is expected to have its next regular meeting in Teheran on September 9 to 10 to look at concrete steps to implement trade expansion plans the two countries have.

Russian company negotiates construction of power plants in Iran
According to ITAR-TASS earlier reports, Russia’s oil company Gazprom demonstrated its interest to the Iranian market as back as February 2014. Still earlier, the company showed interest in the Anaran project in Iran as an operator of the Azar and Shangule oil fields. Gazprom Neft and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) signed a memorandum of understanding on the project in November 2009, but in 2011 NIOC broke the agreement.

In February 2013, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak spoke about the interest of Russian companies to a number of Iranian fields. He then said Russian companies wanted to join Iranian oil and gas projects. Iran, on its part, said it was ready to amend its legislation allowing Russian companies to hold stakes in Iranian projects. Shared participation allows foreign companies to add field reserves (in proportion to their share) to their balance sheets and add yields from these fields to their reports.

In September 2013, Zarubefneft was the first Russia oil company to be granted a permit to operate in Iran. In April, Zarubezhneft and NIOC signed a memorandum on the Khayyam project in Iran. The Russian company however refrained from providing details of its presence in Iran.

Apart from Gazprom Neft, another Russian oil major - LUKoil - reportedly showed interest to Iranian project. LUKoil worked on the Anaran oil block from 2003 but was forced to withdraw from the project after economic sanctions were imposed on Iran. LUKoil was succeeded by Gaprom Neft, the contract with which was terminated in 2011.

UAC is negotiating to start production of Tu-204SM aircraft in Iran
Russian Aviaton » Monday September 15, 2014 11:46 MSK

Members of Russia-Iran intergovernmental commission discussed the possibility of launching the production of Tu-204SM aircraft in Iran, ITAR-TASS reports with reference to a source close to a dedicated federal agency.

"One of the items of the intergovernmental commission meeting agenda is possibility of starting the production of Tu-204SM aircraft in Iran. However, this matter has already been discussed before one way or another", - the source said. United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) declined to comment on the matter.

The meeting was held on Tuesday September 9th 2014.

Earlier Russia and Iran discussed the deliveries of Tu-204 SM aircraft. However, the contract between UAC and Iran for delivery of these jets was blocked due to position of US State Department (the aircraft is powered by PS-90A2 engines; part of intellectual property rights on the engine was owned by Pratt & Whitney).

In February 2014 Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Yuri Slusar, said that the intellectual property rights were bought back. "In fact, Tu-204SM project was started in order to deliver these jets to Iran. Intellectual property rights on PS-90A2 engine previously owned by Pratt & Whitney have been bought back", - he explained.

Tu-204SM derived from Tu-204 is powered by two new engines having an extended service life and higher reliability. The jet is also fitted with a new auxiliary powerplant TA-18-200M, digital air conditioning system and pressure control system. As compared to basic version of Tu-204 this jet has a better fuel efficiency (+10-12%) and serviceability. Tu-204SM may spend up to 9 hours in the air.

Agreement with Russia on building new nuclear power units very important — Iran ambassador

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. The signing of an agreement on the construction of two new nuclear power plant units in Iran with Russia’s participation is "extremely important," Iranian Ambassador in Moscow Mehdi Sanaei said on Thursday.

Russia to build 8 new nuclear power units in Iran

“No doubt both countries seek to develop long-term cooperation. Iran and Russia take decisions within their national interests without paying attention to pressure from third parties,” Sanaei said.

“The agreement proves that in addition to the dialgoue the Iranian president is holding with the West, he attaches much significance to relations with Russia,” he said.

The signing of the memorandum for studying possibilities of joint production of fuel shows that “Russia wants to preserve its constructive role in Iran’s nuclear dossier in order to promote cooperation with Tehran and assist to the talks with the P5+1 group (five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany).”

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi and director of Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation, Rosatom, Sergey Kiriyenko signed a package of agreements on the construction of eight nuclear power plant units in Iran on November 11. The parties signed a contract to build two units at the Bushehr nuclear power plant to further expansion to four units. Under the agreements, the parties intend to construct another four units on other platforms, which have not been determined yet.

Moscow-Tehran Nuclear Deal Ensures Peaceful Iran Nuclear Program: Analyst

A non-proliferation analyst for the Arms Control Association highlighted that the agreement between Iran and Russia to collaborate on fuel fabrication inside Iran is very important for Tehran "to get self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel production, because they are concerned about disruptions in supply and cooperation from the international community."

VIENNA, November 23 (Sputnik) — Nuclear cooperation deal between Russia and Iran struck earlier in November is also important for the international community, as it ensures peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program, a non-proliferation analyst for the Arms Control Association told RIA Novosti Sunday.

"It is important for Iran, but it also provides greater assurance for the international community that Iran is not going to take its enriched uranium and move closer to nuclear weapons," Kelsey Davenport said. "Because taking the enriched material and fabricating it into fuel makes it less of a proliferation risk."

Davenport noted that the United States appreciated the role that Russia played in the talks between the so-called P5+1 and Iran.

"I think that the deal between Iran and Russia on further nuclear cooperation is very positive and contributes to the goals of the P5+1 in the negotiations. Because Russia will fuel the reactors for their entire lifespan, [and] this supports the P5+1 criteria of a limited Iranian uranium enrichment program. Iran will not need to build up a large program to provide fuel for these reactors. So that is certainly a positive development," Davenport said.

She also highlighted that the agreement between Iran and Russia to collaborate on fuel fabrication inside Iran is very important for Tehran "to get self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel production, because they are concerned about disruptions in supply and cooperation from the international community."

"Iran's clear interest in acquiring and mastering fuel fabrication supports their assertion that their program is entirely peaceful and that it is intended for civilian nuclear power reactors," the analyst concluded.

On November 11, Russia and Iran signed several agreements on the construction of two nuclear reactor units at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, using Russian technology, with the possibility of building six more in the future. An inter-agency memorandum of understanding for the expansion of cooperation in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes was also signed.

Tehran claims its nuclear development is aimed purely at civilian needs, such as meeting the country's growing energy needs. However, the West suspects Iran of developing a nuclear weapon under the guise of a peaceful program.

During talks in Geneva in November 2013, Iran the P5+1 group, comprising Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Germany, agreed to reach a long-term comprehensive agreement, which would guarantee the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program by July 2014. The deadline, though, was later extended to November 24.

The final round of the nuclear talks began in Vienna Tuesday.

Russia, Iran Want to Start Making Mutual Payments in National Currencies

Russia and Iran should develop a way to use their own currencies in mutual trade, Russian minister of economic development said.

TEHRAN, November 30 (Sputnik) — The central banks of Russia and Iran are working on developing ways to make mutual payments in national currencies, Russia's Minister of Economic Development Alexey Ulyukaev told reporters Sunday.

"Mechanisms of using national currencies in mutual relations [between Russia and Iran]… that involve lending in national currencies and using contracts in national currencies should be established. The central banks [of both countries] should focus on this, and they have already started working on it," Ulyukaev said.

The minister also noted that the Ministry of Economic Development supports the idea of mutual payments in national currencies, but the time frames have not been discussed yet.

Ulyukaev emphasized that different dynamics of the currencies' exchange rate and the necessity of close relations between the central banks of both states are the main difficulties that the countries may face.

The main benefits of the mutual payments in national currencies are the absence of charge for the currencies conversion, direct payments and higher transparency in relations between the banks.

Russia to Assist Iran in Joining World Trade Organization

Russia has agreed to assist Iran in joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), a joint Russia-Iran memorandum said Sunday.

"The Iranian party asked to use the Russian experience and to receive the necessary assistance in Iran's joining the WTO. The Russian party agreed to provide the necessary assistance," the document signed by Russia's Minister of Economic Development Alexey Ulyukaev and Iranian Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh said.

Moreover, Russia and Iran have agreed to increase bilateral trade and enhance cooperation in sharing information on promising investment projects. It has also been decided to start communication between the chambers of commerce of the two countries on economic potential and current legislation.

The memorandum will expire in one year.

Russia, Iran Plan to Sign Contracts for Non-Primary Goods Export

Russia plans to sign contracts with Iran on the export of non-primary goods, including oil and gas equipment, cars, planes, agricultural machinery, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukaev said Sunday.

"We could be moving forward with export of our non-primary goods [to Iran], which is very important and interesting: agricultural machinery, cars, planes, railway cars, trains, machinery, electrical generators, oil and gas equipment, etc.," he told journalists.

Ulyukaev added that during the talks with Iranian colleagues they discussed measures aimed at increasing goods turnover between the countries. He also underscored that there are several planned projects in agriculture, and in logistics. Ulyukaev said that it is possible to use additional transit routes to deliver goods between the countries to complement the existing sea route. He explained that the rail shipping operations are also possible via Azerbaijan, or via Turkmenistan.

"Every transits and transport corridors create opportunities, this is why we are speaking about Azerbaijan now, transit via Turkmenistan is also possible," the minister added.

Russia to Begin Deliveries of Grain, Manufactured Products to Iran

Russia is planning to start deliveries of grain and manufactured products to Iran, the Russian Economic Development Minister said Sunday.

"This issue has been discussed. We are working on it, but there are many technical elements to it concerning the list of goods. Every country has its own approach to logistics, delivery process, insurance, etc. We hope we will finalize the details soon," Alexey Ulyukaev told journalists.

"It is not only about grain. There other lists of products. They are under discussion," he added.

Earlier in November, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei said that Tehran was aiming to deepen its ties with Moscow, noting that the expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries would contribute to the development of bilateral relations.

In September, Andrei Gormakh, first deputy CEO of Russia's state-controlled grain trader United Grain Company, said that Russia and Iran discussed a deal for the supply of grain in exchange for oil, adding that the company could supply the Islamic republic with 2.1 million tons of grain annually.

The same month, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that Russia was not in negotiations concerning "oil-for-goods" supplies from Iran, but noted that such a deal was possible.

Iran Begins Fish Deliveries to Russia

Russia, Iran to Create Joint Bank for Transactions in National Currencies

Iran Expects Green Light on Meat, Dairy Exports to Russia by End of March

Tehran hopes that Iranian companies will receive approval on the export of their goods to Russia in the first quarter of 2015.

MOSCOW, January 27 (Sputnik) – Iran expects that its producers will get approval to export dairy and meat products to Russia by March of this year, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei told RIA Novosti in an inteview Tuesday.

“The first delivery of shrimp and trout to Russia was announced this week. All that remains is that companies that produce dairy and meat products also receive approval on the export of their goods to Russia,” Sanaei said.

“I hope that this happens because it’s very important. We were promised that this would be resolved in the first quarter [of this year] by the end of March,” the ambassador added.

Iran, Russia boost cooperation in science, technology







TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) – Iranian Vice President for Science and Technology has reviewed various fields of cooperation with the Russian side in the meeting with Professor Fursenko here on Tuesday.

Sorena Sattari met with the Presidential Assistant for Science and Technology Andrei Aleksandrovich Fursenko today and reviewed the two countries’ capacities for cooperation in various fields of science and technology.

Noting that over 30 expert sessions in various fields have been held during the two-day visit of the Russian delegation, Sattari added a number of valuable agreements on science and technology have been signed between the two sides. He deemed this level of cooperation as unprecedented in the history of Iran-Russia relations.

He pointed to Russia’s cooperation with Iran’s National Science Foundation (INSF), adding “several joint cooperation in air and space, oil and gas equipment, and a number of other fields of technology will take place with the Russian side in the near future.”

Professor Fursenko, for his part, maintained that as one of the areas of cooperation, anti-cancer drugs will be tested in one of Russia's major centers for cancer treatment.

He attached great significance to the formation of a joint working group for the realization of science and technology deals, adding cooperation among small companies will certainly bear fruit and be to the great benefit of the two countries.

On the sidelines of the meeting, an MoU was signed between Iran's National Elites Foundation (INEF) and Moscow State University.

http://en.mehrnews.com/detail/News/106650

Putin liberates Iran from sanctions

Author: M.K. Bhadrakumar April 13, 2015 2 Comments

Iran nuclear issue, New Cold War

The Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision today to sign the presidential decree to forthwith supply S-300 missiles to Iran and the reported commencement of the $20 billion oil-for-goods swap deal between Russia and Iran effectively signifies the end of the sanctions regime against Iran. Putin has “liberated” Iran from the curse of sanctions. The Kremlin de facto opened the floodgates for Iran’s integration as a full-fledged member of the international community.

Moscow has signaled that it won’t even wait till end-June for an Iran deal to be negotiated by the Obama administration for restoring the strategic partnership with Iran as a ‘normal country’. Hmm. The Kremlin beckons the world community to the birth of a a new world order.

Any whichever way one looks at the Kremlin’s move, it is a slap on the face of the United States. The message is clear: Moscow will not wait for the Obama administration to set the dynamics of the Russian-Iranian relationship — or for any international issue of vital interest to Russia. Of course, it is a strategic move on the part of Putin, but it is also a brilliantly pragmatic move, brilliant in tactic, insofar as Russia is taking an early lead over the West in rebuilding the sinews of partnership with Iran.

Clearly, Moscow has assessed that it is vital to Russia’s interests that the relations with Iran are elevated to the highest possible level in the quickest possible manner. This assessment, no doubt, is based on unambiguous signals from Tehran in the recent period that in the Iranian foreign-policy trajectory, Russia will continue to have a pivotal status, no matter the restoration of Iran’s ties with the West. (See my article in Asia Times titled A challenging time for Russia-Iran ties.)

What happens now to the US-Iranian tango is only of academic interest. Indeed, Moscow has also made the Republican-dominated US Congress and the hawkish American lawmakers look very foolish and impotent — and as yesterday’s men. This strategic defiance takes the Russian-American confrontation to a cold war era level.

Indeed, the ramifications of today’s development, signifying the coming into being of a Russo-Iranian strategic axis, are going to be profound on several theatres of international security in a wide arc stretching from Central Asia through the Caucasus and the Caspian to the Middle East proper. Simply put, the US is staring at a catastrophic setback in its regional policies on several fronts. Without doubt, Iran is a pivotal state and it is a game changer for Russian policies to have such a regional power on its side as a close ally.

Conceivably, Moscow and Beijing are coordinating their moves on Iran. The Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to pay a visit to Iran at an early date and Chinese officials had openly hinted that there could be some “dramatic” announcements during the visit.

For sure, Iran has taken a great leap forward toward induction into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

http://atimes.com/2015/04/putin-liberates-iran-from-sanctions/

Russia’s Lukoil reopens its office in Iran

The company wants to return to the Anaran project in Iran, if possible, after sanctions are lifted

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Russia’s oil company Lukoil has reopened its office in Iran, the company’s first vice president Ravil Maganov told reporters on Wednesday.

"We look forward to participation in projects in Iran after the sanctions are fully removed", he said.

Maganov said that the Anaran project is Lukoil’s priority in Iran but the company is also interested in other projects.

"We are studying geological data on other projects as well", he said.

The Anaran oilfield is located on the Iranian-Iraqi border.

Lukoil started working on the Anaran block in 2003 but was forced to pull out after economic sanctions had been imposed on Iran.

In November 2014, Lukoil’s Chief Vagit Alekperov said that the company wants to return to the Anaran project in Iran, if possible, after sanctions are lifted.

"In our time, we discovered the Anaran oilfield on the Iranian-Iraqi border. Together with a Norwegian firm, we would like to return to this deposit. We know its geology and infrastructure," Alekperov said.

On April 2, the six powers (five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) and Iran adopted a joint comprehensive action plan on Tehran’s nuclear program. The framework clears the way for talks on a comprehensive deal with Iran by June 30 under which it would curb nuclear activities for at least a decade in exchange for an end to sanctions imposed by the United Nations, European Union and United States on Iran’s energy and financial sectors.

Iran urges united resistance front against US expansionism







Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan (R) meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu in Tehran in January 2015.


The Iranian defense minister has called for the establishment of a united front against the expansionist policies of the United States and its allies, describing it as a necessity.


Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan on Thursday hailed Russia for not trusting the United States, saying Tehran and Moscow should insist on adopting policies to foil security threats facing them.


“We support Russia’s correct understanding at the strategic level that the US government could not be a reliable friend and partner,” said Dehqan in a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu.

Dehqan, who was in the Russian capital to attend the fourth Moscow International Security Conference, also hailed Moscow's stance in appreciating the necessity for the establishment of a new global order.

The Russian defense minister, for his part, urged the expansion of ties between Tehran and Moscow, saying constructive relations between the two sides can play an important role in securing regional and global stability


On April 13, 2015 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree, paving the way for the long-overdue delivery of the S-300 missile shield systems to Iran. (AFP)


Shoygu touched upon a recent military agreement signed between Iran and Russia, calling it a significant foundation on which the two sides could expand their ties.

The Russian defense chief lashed out at Western governments for imposing sanctions on sovereign states, describing them as tyrannical and against international regulations.

Shoygu further took a swipe at the United States for its unilateral policies across the world and called on all countries to to work together closely to confront and foil Washington’s one-sided moves.

He then urged Russia, China and Iran to hold a joint summit in the near future to coordinate their policies for confronting common threats.



The two sides also agreed to examine all technical issues related to the S-300 air defense missile system in the coming months, so that it could be delivered to Tehran by the end of the current year.

On April 13, 2015 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree, paving the way for the long-overdue delivery of the S-300 missile shield systems to Iran.

MS/NN/HMV

http://presstv.com/Detail/2015/04/17/406666/Iran-Russia-must-stand-up-to-US

Tehran-Sochi aviation route opens in June

"Three planes a week over the summer season will bring about 4,000 tourists from Iran," Sochi’s administration said

SOCHI, May 22. /TASS/. A programme of regular chartered flights from Tehran to Russia’s Sochi will begin in late June and will be able bring up to 4,000 Iranian tourists to the Russian resort city, press service of Sochi’s administration told TASS on Friday.

The agreement about the chartered flights was discussed at presentation of Sochi’s tourism in Iran’s capital city.

"Three planes a week over the summer season will bring about 4,000 tourists from Iran," the administration said.

A pilot chartered flight brought Iranian tourists to Sochi in March. Deltaban tourist operator and Mahan Air have an agreement on 28 chartered flights. Iranian tourists may use a product, which will include a seven-day tour of the Olympic facilities, a tour of Sochi, a trip to Joseph Stalin’s summer house, and wine-tasting as well as folk shows.

Full-scale construction work at Iran’s Bushehr-2 site will start in fall — Rosatom CEO

Russia Begins Grain Deliveries to Iran, Will Ship 1.3 Mln Tons in 2015

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150608/1023072286.html#ixzz3cSsl3A9z

Good news on the deal. Russia needs to leverage Iran to counter the US's client Saudi Arabia.

George1 wrote:Russia Negotiating Supply of ‘Sukhoi Superjet’ to Iran

Is there not a five year ban on heavy weapons still in place? Any news on the type of bird they're looking at? Cheers, c

crod wrote:

George1 wrote:Russia Negotiating Supply of ‘Sukhoi Superjet’ to Iran

Is there not a five year ban on heavy weapons still in place? Any news on the type of bird they're looking at? Cheers, c

It's a civilian airliner...But of course I could see how the U.S. Navy could confuse it with a fighter plane, because everyone knows that civilian airliners and military fighter jets have virtually identical/indistinguishable RCS figures...

So now that economic sanctions are being lifted, will Russia invest in Iran's oil companies? Because, as it stands, Iran's oil is going to be very lucrative for both Asia and Europe, and Europe will buy Iranian oil to diversify from Russia, and China will also invest in it as well to diversify. So in this case, Russia's stance on oil from Iran should be Russian investment in Iranian oil and gas companies, and let Iranian companies do the same in Russia. Hopefully, Russia could also bank on Iran's forever growing thirst for Steel, as it is a larger steel consumer than even Russia. So I imagine Russian steel would be quite the catch as it would also be cheaper to purchase for Iran due to the Rubles exchange value.

magnumcromagnon wrote:

crod wrote:

George1 wrote:Russia Negotiating Supply of ‘Sukhoi Superjet’ to Iran

Is there not a five year ban on heavy weapons still in place? Any news on the type of bird they're looking at? Cheers, c

It's a civilian airliner...But of course I could see how the U.S. Navy could confuse it with a fighter plane, because everyone knows that civilian airliners and military fighter jets have virtually identical/indistinguishable RCS figures...

Ah, I see! my bad, thank you for clarifying.

sepheronx wrote:So now that economic sanctions are being lifted, will Russia invest in Iran's oil companies?  Because, as it stands, Iran's oil is going to be very lucrative for both Asia and Europe, and Europe will buy Iranian oil to diversify from Russia, and China will also invest in it as well to diversify.  So in this case, Russia's stance on oil from Iran should be Russian investment in Iranian oil and gas companies, and let Iranian companies do the same in Russia.  Hopefully, Russia could also bank on Iran's forever growing thirst for Steel, as it is a larger steel consumer than even Russia.  So I imagine Russian steel would be quite the catch as it would also be cheaper to purchase for Iran due to the Rubles exchange value.

I sure hope so, I would love to see Putin make a trip to Iran in the next month or so. There lots of business to be done with with relationship.

Why do you think the US lifted sanctions on Iran? The US's objective is to sell arms to Iran to make Iran one of its clients and an enemy of Russia. Russia must sell arms to Iran before the US can to make Iran one of Russia's clients and an enemy of the US. Geopolitics. Geopolitics. Geopolitics.

Flagship Victory wrote:Why do you think the US lifted sanctions on Iran? The US's objective is to sell arms to Iran to make Iran one of its clients and an enemy of Russia. Russia must sell arms to Iran before the US can to make Iran one of Russia's clients and an enemy of the US. Geopolitics. Geopolitics. Geopolitics.

Well, according to the US, they are keeping sanctions up for 5 years from now then they will lift it. That said, I am pretty certain all economic embargo's will be lifted so if Russia does not want to be left out in the dark, they will need to start investing big time in Iran.