Vladimir Putin: I am pleased to greet you once again, and I am glad that we have an opportunity to talk about our bilateral relations at this multilateral meeting. We met in Moscow, and I am glad to see you again in the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. As you know, Russia has from the start welcomed Iranian participation in this international organisation as an observer.

We are good neighbours. Our contacts are rapidly growing, especially in recent years, and trade is increasing, with a turnover approaching $3.5 billion. Our contacts are diversified enough. I want to stress our cooperation in energy, transportation and communications. We are engaged in many promising bilateral and multilateral projects. As for the development of transportation infrastructure, Azerbaijan may also join in. Qatar might join energy projects. Last but not least is Caspian Sea partnership, which is very important and promising for Iran and Russia alike. I want to use this opportunity to pass along my best wishes to religious leader Mr Khamenei and Iranian President Mr Ahmadinejad.

Parviz Dawudi. Thank you for your kind words. The Supreme Leader and the President of Iran regard your participation in the summit of the Caspian heads of state as a turning point in the history of our relations. Our relations began to develop more intensively than ever after your visit, and a dynamic dialogue started in many economic fields. You said wonderful words then-that a strong Iran would not undermine regional security and would, in fact, promote the interests of all neighbouring countries. We, on our part, also want to say that a strong Russia not merely promotes the interests and answers the hopes of the region but also coincides with the expectations of the whole world. Though our economic contacts are strong, the current global developments and the overall economic situation demand a more active and effective partnership.