According to Shada, the 20-year comprehensive strategic agreement between Iran and Russia was signed late on Friday, January 17 during the visit of the Iranian President to Russia; an agreement that is considered an important event in the context of regional and international conditions, especially in economic terms.
The deeper economic relationship between Iran and Russia, given the two countries’ membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS, can add to the economic importance of this agreement.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Iran and Russia consists of 47 provisions that cover all areas.
Establishing direct economic relations between the provinces of the two countries
In Article 16 of this strategic agreement, it is emphasized that the two sides will develop interregional cooperation; Accordingly, The Contracting Parties shall develop interregional cooperation, assuming its special importance for expanding the entire range of bilateral relations.
The Contracting Parties shall create favorable conditions for the establishment of direct ties between the Russian and Iranian regions, and facilitate mutual knowledge of their economic and investment potentials, including through holding business missions, conferences, exhibitions, fairs, and other interregional events.
Facilitating joint Investment
Article 18: The Contracting Parties shall facilitate development of trade, economic and industrial cooperation, creating mutual economic benefits, including joint investments, infrastructure financing, easing of trade and business mechanisms, cooperation in banking, promotion and mutual provision of goods, works, services, information and results of intellectual activity, including exclusive rights to them.
Aware of their investment capabilities, the Contracting Parties may make joint investments in the economies of third states and maintain dialogue within the framework of relevant multilateral mechanisms for this purpose.
Using National Currencies in International Trade
Article 20: To augment the volume of mutual trade, the Contracting Parties shall create conditions to develop cooperation between the lending organizations, taking into account the international legal instruments in the field of countering laundering of proceeds of crime and financing of terrorism to which the Contracting Parties are parties, use various tools of trade financing, develop joint mutual export support projects, build up the investment potential, expand mutual investment between individuals, public and private companies, and ensure adequate protection of mutual investment.
The Contracting Parties shall develop cooperation to establish a modern payment infrastructure independent of third states, transition to bilateral settlements in national currencies, strengthen direct interbank cooperation, and promote national financial products.
The Contracting Parties shall expand their cooperation to develop trade and encourage investments in special/free economic zones of the Contracting Parties.
The Contracting Parties shall assist in special/free economic zones of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran in carrying out activities aimed at creating joint ventures in areas of mutual interest, and pay attention to the creation of industrial zones.
The Contracting Parties declare their readiness to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in gold-mining, gold-processing, diamond-brilliant, and jewelry industries.
Cooperation in Transportation
Article 21:The Contracting Parties, taking into account their capabilities and capacities, shall support close cooperation in transport and reaffirm their willingness to comprehensively develop partnerships in the area of transport on a mutually beneficial basis.
The Contracting Parties shall create favorable conditions for the operation of carriers of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, facilitate the process of cargo and passenger transportation by all transport modes, and increase their volumes, and effective use of road and border infrastructure.
The Contracting Parties shall develop cooperation in roadway, railway, aerial, maritime, and multimodal transportation, as well as in training specialists in transportation.
The Contracting Parties shall actively cooperate to develop international transport corridors passing the territory of the Russian Federation and of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in particular the North-South International Transport Corridor.
Such cooperation includes the promotion of goods originating from the Contracting Parties in the third states' markets, as well as the creation of conditions for the development of seamless transportation via transport corridors both in bilateral and transit transportation through their territories.
The Contracting Parties shall introduce modern developments in the area of digital transportation systems.
The Contracting Parties shall support close coordination within international transport industry organizations, establish mutually beneficial cooperation between the executive authorities and organizations in the area of transport, and facilitate their participation in international transport industry events.
Cooperation in oil, gas
Article 22:The Contracting Parties shall expand cooperation in the oil and gas sector on the principles of equality and mutual benefit and shall take measures to enhance the energy security of the Contracting Parties through the efficient use of fuel and energy resources.
The Contracting Parties shall promote bilateral energy cooperation in the following areas: Scientific and technical assistance, exchange of experience and introduction of advanced and modern technologies in the production, processing, and transportation of oil and gas; Assistance to Russian and Iranian companies and organizations in the fuel and energy sector in expanding cooperation, including energy supplies and swap operations; Promotion of investment through bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas fields development projects in the territory of the Contracting Parties; Promotion of infrastructure projects important for global and regional energy security; Ensuring non-discriminatory access to international energy markets and increasing their competitiveness; Cooperation and implementation of a coordinated policy within the framework of international energy fora, such as the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and OPEC-plus.
The Contracting Parties shall enhance the cooperation and exchange of views and experience in renewable energy sources.
Construction of nuclear energy facilities
Article 23: The Contracting Parties shall promote the development of long-term and mutually beneficial relations to implement joint projects in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including the construction of nuclear energy facilities.
Increasing agricultural cooperation
Article 24:The Contracting Parties shall develop cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, veterinary, protection, and quarantine of plants and seed production to increase mutual trade and access of agricultural products to the markets of the Contracting Parties and the markets of third states.
The Contracting Parties shall take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of agricultural products, raw materials, and foodstuffs, which shall meet the requirements established in the area of sanitary and epidemiological, veterinary, quarantine phytosanitary, and seed control (inspection), as well as requirements for safe handling of pesticides and agricultural chemicals or other requirements established by the legislation of the Contracting Parties.
Creation of a simplified customs corridor
Article 25:The Contracting Parties shall carry out customs cooperation, including the implementation of projects for the creation of a simplified customs corridor, mutual recognition of the respective authorized economic operator programs to promote the creation of secure supply chains, the organization of administrative cooperation and exchange of customs information between their customs authorities.
Article 27:The Contracting Parties shall develop cooperation on such issues as mutual recognition of standards, test reports and certificates of conformity, direct application of standards, exchange of experience and advanced developments in the field of measurement uniformity, training experts, and promotion of the recognition of test results between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Article 35is dedicated to the development of tourism relations.
According to the article, the Contracting Parties shall support intensive cooperation in the public and private sectors in the fields of the promotion of cultural heritage, tourism, arts and crafts to raise people's awareness of the socio-cultural wealth and various tourist attractions of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran and promote direct contacts between their tourism organizations.
Article 39:The Contracting Parties shall cooperate in environmental protection through sharing experience of rational use of natural resources, introducing environmentally sound technologies, and implementing environmental protection measures.
Article 40:The Contracting Parties shall facilitate cooperation and exchange of views and experience in water resources management.