Putin, Rouhani Stress Cooperation over Syria

Local Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have agreed that their countries will cooperate on the Syrian crisis.

The two leaders met in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, on Friday. Their first summit was held after a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Rouhani expressed support for the Russian proposal to put Syria's chemical weapons under international control. He said the initiative has created hope that a new war could be prevented.
"Moscow's initiative to resolve the Syrian crisis and the steps the Russian government has taken in this regard have created hopes that a new war could be prevented," Rouhani said.

Putin said Iran is Russia's good neighbor and he will work with Rouhani for bilateral cooperation.
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Russia, China, and Central Asian countries adopted a joint declaration to oppose military action against Syria without the authorization of the UN Security Council.

Russia apparently wants to keep the United States in check by affirming its cooperation with Iran, an ally of Syria's Bashar al-Assad government.
Iran at the same appears to want to step up cooperation with Russia, a permanent UN Security Council member, on the issue of Syria as well as the issue of the country's nuclear program. Iran and Western countries are expected to resume nuclear talks soon.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team