Iran, Russia Ink Security Agreement

Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar and Head of Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service Victor Ivanov signed two agreements to bolster the two countries’ security and anti-drug cooperation.

“Iran and Russia endorsed two cooperation documents on security issues and campaign against drugs,” Mohammad Najjar, who is also secretary-general of Iran’s anti-narcotics headquarters, told reporters after meeting Ivanov in Moscow on Wednesday.

Ivanov, for his part, reiterated that endorsement of the security agreement between Tehran and Moscow will further pave the way for the development of the two countries’ mutual cooperation, specially in the Caspian Sea.

“By signing the document, Iran and Russia will be able to control the passage of 1,500 vessels in the Caspian Sea,” he said.

Tehran and Moscow had agreed in June to establish a joint intelligence team to exchange information and plan joint operations.

Also, in December 2010, Iran and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in campaigning narcotics and drug-traffickers.

The agreement was signed by Mohammad Najjar and Ivanov here in Tehran.

Following the endorsement ceremony, Najjar told reporters that Iran and Russia embarked on signing the cooperation agreement because both countries are on the main transit route used by international drug networks.

Eastern Iran borders Afghanistan, which is the world’s number one opium and drug producer. Iran’s geographical position has made the country a favorite transit corridor for drug traffickers who intend to smuggle their cargoes from Afghanistan to drug dealers in Europe.

Source: http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9010172449