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President of Iran Hassan Rouhani (retranslated): Mr Putin, President of the Russian Federation,

I would like to warmly greet you in Iran and thank you for accepting my invitation to attend this summit.

I am very happy that the Third Astana Summit was held today and that we were able to discuss the Syrian issue.

Perhaps a few years ago no politician would have believed that our countries would sit down together to help resolve such a crisis at the regional and maybe even at the global level. This cooperative action might serve as an example for resolving other disputes in this region.

Mr President, while admitting that what is happening in Syria, this crisis, is a sad event, I must say that together we have succeeded in helping not only the Syrian army and government, but also the people of Syria, help them overcome this situation. Our cooperation in this region is beneficial not only to the Syrian people, but to the world, because this is a very serious danger that concerns the whole world.

I would like to add that our cooperation in other areas has always developed rapidly. The present relations between Russia and Iran are of a strategic nature. There has never been such a level of trust between the two sides in the history of our countries as there is today. I can say that your personal contribution to the development of our relations was very important.

I would like to once again thank you and the members of your delegation for accepting our invitation to visit Tehran.

Thank you.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr President, for inviting us and for organising today's meetings.

I join your assessments of our joint contribution to the settlement of the Syrian crisis. Indeed, as the terrorist threat is done with, the question of political settlement will move up on the agenda.

Our bilateral relations are growing and expanding successfully in almost all areas. But our economic interaction is the key, of course. There is still a lot to be done here.

I am confident that today we will also talk about other international issues, including those related to the Iranian nuclear programme.

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