Iran, Russia agree to facilitate timber imports, expand forestry cooperation
Iran and Russia have agreed to facilitate timber imports from Russia and expand cooperation on forestry and sustainable forest management, Iran's deputy agriculture minister said on Wednesday.
Reza Aflatouni made the remarks during a meeting with a Russian delegation on the sidelines of the 28th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization's Committee on Forestry (COFO28), where the two sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in forestry and sustainable forest management, IRNA reported.
The talks covered forest development and rehabilitation, integrated management of forest fires, and early warning systems for fire risks.
The two sides also discussed facilitating timber imports from Russia and ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the sector.
Meanwhile, the Russian delegation welcomed a draft memorandum of understanding on cooperation prepared by Iran.
Under the agreement reached at the meeting, the two sides will proceed with signing the memorandum as soon as possible after Iran sends the final version of the draft to Russia.
The meeting also emphasized using the two countries' joint capacities to expand specialized cooperation in forest protection, rehabilitation, development and sustainable management, as well as combating forest fires.