Moscow and Tehran plan to sign a memorandum of understanding in 2015, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei said. The projected agreement is one of the first steps in moving toward a visa-free regime between the two countries.
MOSCOW, January 27 (Sputnik) Moscow and Tehran are considering creating a visa-free regime betweenthe two countries forbusinessmen and tourists bysigning a memorandum ofunderstanding in2015, Iranian Ambassador toRussia Mehdi Sanaei told RIA Novosti inan interview Tuesday.
Its difficult forour businessmen toget a visa toRussia, especially a long-term visa, butwe are happy that in2014 our ministers [of foreign affairs], [Sergei] Lavrov and [Mohammad] Zarif agreed onthe easing ofthe visa regime, especially forbusinessmen and tourists, Sanaei said.
The signing ofa memorandum ofunderstanding is one ofthe first steps inmoving towarda visa-free regime betweenthe two countries.
[The ministers offoreign affairs] have almost completed a memorandum ofunderstanding and Im sure that in2015 it will be signed, the ambassador added.
On September 12, 2000, Russia, India and Iran signed an agreement establishing the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), aimed atreducing travel time and boosting trade amongthe countries. The so-called Russian-Indian Corridor is expected torun fromMumbai tothe Iranian port ofBandar Abbas and continue tothe Russian city ofAstrakhan onthe Caspian Sea.
In 2011, Russia and Iran signed a major transport cooperation deal, agreeing todevelop cooperation inroad, air, rail and marine transport.