WANA (Dec 07) – Last week, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Ministers, Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi, visited Beijing and Moscow to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance coordination on regional and international issues. These meetings are part of Iran’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to exchange views with key partners following the Geneva summit.

 

The Geneva summit, held on November 29, served as a follow-up to the October talks in New York. It provided an opportunity to assess conditions and discuss shared concerns between Iran and the three European countries.

 

The discussions covered various issues, including regional concerns and allegations related to Ukraine. According to Kazem Gharibabadi, agreements were reached to continue negotiations in the near future.

Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, emphasized that these meetings are part of routine diplomatic exchanges and should not be interpreted as the start of formal nuclear negotiations. He added that Iran used this platform to present its perspectives and hear those of European counterparts.

 

Strategic Engagement with China

Kazem Gharibabadi met with China’s Vice Foreign Minister during his trip to Beijing. He announced that the meeting included discussions on resuming talks to lift sanctions and enhancing legal and international cooperation.

 

Gharibabadi also highlighted the importance of sustained Iran-China engagement to counter unilateralism and promote equitable global governance.

Expanding Economic Collaboration with Russia

Majid Takht-Ravanchi, meanwhile, held meetings in Moscow with Russian Deputy Foreign Ministers Andrei Rudenko and Sergey Ryabkov.

 

The discussions focused on strengthening trade and economic ties, implementing joint infrastructure projects, and formulating long-term cooperation plans. According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, the two sides agreed to intensify bilateral contacts and cooperation at various levels.

 

Iran’s Comprehensive Foreign Policy

Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated in a television interview that Iran’s foreign policy prioritizes engaging with neighbors, enhancing relations with China and Russia, and expanding cooperation within the BRICS framework. He referred to the 25-year agreement with China as a roadmap for collaboration and announced that a similar agreement with Russia would soon be signed.

 

Aiming for Strategic Partnerships

Iran’s recent diplomatic visits to China and Russia underscore its efforts to bolster ties with strategic partners and achieve greater alignment in addressing regional and global challenges. These engagements reflect Iran’s active foreign policy aimed at expanding influence and fostering broader interactions in the international system.