Tehran, March 14, IRNA – Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said on Monday that as two major suppliers of oil and gas, Iran and Russia can cooperate in the world energy market and be influential in this respect.

Speaking to minister of energy of Russia, Alexander Novak, on Monday, Minister of Petroleum of Iran said that based on a durable policy, Iran follows up a strategic and long-term cooperation with Russia, especially in the energy sector.

He said under conditions when the anti-Iran tyrannical sanctions are eliminated, a suitable opportunity has been created for cooperation between the two countries' oil and gas companies.

He went on to say that Iran and Russia can have effective cooperation in the trade of oil and gas and swapping.

'I hope we will soon witness active presence of Russian companies in Iran's oil and gas projects.'

Novak arrived in Tehran late on Sunday heading a high-ranking economic, trade, and agricultural, industrial, oil and gas delegation.

The visit takes place upon the invitation of Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi to convene the Iran-Russia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission on Monday.

Novak is also expected to hold meetings with Iranian ministers of energy, and roads and urban development.

'During my meeting with Iranian officials, we will talk about the expansion of economic and trade ties and different areas of bilateral cooperation,' Novak told reporters prior to his visit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September that Russia was highly satisfied with the progress in cooperation with Iran in various areas, including the fight against terrorism and projects on peaceful nuclear energy.