RUSSIA-IRAN: POLITICAL DIALOGUE SATISFIES RUSSIAN PREMIER








MOSCOW, MARCH 12 (from RIA Novosti's Dmitri Znamensky) - Progress rates of the Russian-Iranian political dialogue and joint efforts to solve global, regional and bilateral issues satisfy Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, he said in conference with President Mohammad Khatami of Iran.


	Bilateral trade, however, remains too small for neighbouring countries, even though its turnover skyrocketed by 20% last year, pointed out Mr. Kasyanov.


	As he remarked, partnership in oil-and-gas, power, aviation and other industries, and other economic branches related to technologies and engineering has promising prospects and offers ample chances to step up bilateral commerce.


	"We are greatly satisfied with your visit. It is a first at such a high level throughout the last 27 years," the Prime Minister said to President Khatami. The achievements of current negotiations are even now giving an impetus to bilateral contacts, he added.


	In a return address, President Khatami was focusing on global issues and pivotal principles of international relations. As he sees it, the present-day world needs a new look at its developments.


	International relations must base on justice, which is to replace force in contacts between the many countries. Russia is a Great Power which ought to think about the future of the human race, and play a spectacular part in the emergence of new relations. As he turned to Russia's place in the world, the President stressed "great persistence" with which Russia had sought that place--and found it "to chart its way to a radiant future".