Moscow :Russian President Vladimir Putin was Tuesday to host Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani for talks that will be closely watched for signs of their next moves in Syria.
Rouhani鈥檚 first official visit to Russia comes as the two Syrian regime supporters push for ways to end the six-year conflict, having done much to marginalize US influence in peace talks.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said ahead of the trip that the leaders would discuss 鈥渞egional issues especially the Syrian crisis, solutions to end it quickly,鈥� as well as ways to counter 鈥渢errorism and extremism.鈥�
Rouhani 鈥� accompanied by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh and other high-ranking officials 鈥� is expected to sign more than 10 economic cooperation agreements with Russia, according to Iranian state media.
Late on Monday Rouhani met Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, with the Iranian president saying he hoped his visit would mark a 鈥渘ew turning point鈥� in relations, Russian state media reported.
The Kremlin said in a statement this month that Rouhani鈥檚 trip would focus in part on 鈥渢he prospects of expanding trade, economic and investment ties.鈥�
In addition to cooperation on Syria, energy and defense ties between Iran and Russia have grown despite meagre trade relations.
Russia is to build nine of Iran鈥檚 20 nuclear reactors in the coming years and has also emerged as a long-term arms partner for Iran, supplying Tehran with the S-300 air defense system.
The relationship has blossomed under Rouhani despite the countries having a complicated history over territory, oil, and communism.
Rouhani is looking to boost Iran鈥檚 economy ahead of elections in May in which he is expected to stand for a second term.
Iran and Russia have become increasingly allied in Syria, providing support that has propped up President Bashar Assad.
They helped Assad鈥檚 forces gain ground in recent months, including in the Syrian army鈥檚 major offensive last year to retake rebel-held eastern Aleppo.
More than 310,000 people have been killed since conflict broke out in Syria in March 2011 with protests against Assad鈥檚 rule.