Iran, Russia Joint Working Group Opens in Tehran
Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
Moscow, 21 June: Third meeting of Iran-Russia Joint Working Group in the field of forestry opened here Monday [21 June].
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jihad and Head of Forestry, Pasture and Water Resources Organization, Mohammad Samadi addressing the meeting briefed the participants on Iran’s activity and experience in forestry.
He said: Given that Iran has more than 12 million hectares of forest, all forestry plans are implemented in accordance with the related international laws. Besides some 2.2 million forests have been created in semi-arid areas.
Turning to Iran’s expertise in the campaign against plant diseases and protection of the environment, he underlined the significance of Iran-Russia cooperation in various fields including forestry.
He added: “We believe that collaboration and exchange of experience has played a decisive role in Iran’s progress in the domain and hope that favourable results would be achieved, given our commonalties.
For his part, Russian Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Valentine Stepankov expressed his approval of collaboration between the two states in the field of forestry and pointed out that his country owns one of the world’s largest forestry resources.
According to him, a quarter of the world forests are located in Russia covering 70 per cent of the country.
He reiterated the need for long-term forestry cooperation between the two neighbouring states.
Turning to Iran-Russia friendly ties, the official said that fortunately the cornerstone of this friendship has been laid upon firm mutual confidence in one another.
He expressed the readiness of his country to expand scientific and technical cooperation as well as exchange of expertise.
“Russia is also prepared to provide training to Iranian experts and give them the know-how on pest control and plant diseases.
The two sides are expected to sign a protocol on forestry at the end of the meeting on Wednesday 23 June].
During its stay in Russia, the Iranian delegation is scheduled to tour The ‘Russian Forest’ located in a protected zone and Moscow.