IRNA -- Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow-Tehran relations have been increased in recent years.

Medvedev made the remarks in a message read out in the inauguration ceremony of Russia-Iran cultural and social gathering in Ufa the capital city of the Republic of Bashkortostan.

He added Russia and Iran enjoy huge potentials for expanding mutual cooperation, underscoring that the gathering plays a key role for expanding cultural relations between the two countries.

The gathering opened in Ufa headed by Ali Younesi, Iran's presidential adviser on ethnic and religious minority.

Several high-ranking Iranian and Russian officials are also present in the gathering.

The Republic of Bashkortostan is a federal subject of Russia. It is located between the Volga River and the Ural Mountains. With the population of 4,072,292 as of the 2010 Census, Bashkortostan is the most populous republic in Russia.