Tasnim � Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said continuation of �constructive� talks between Tehran and Moscow will further �consolidate� the friendly ties between the two sides.

�I am certain that continuation of constructive dialogues and consultations (between Iran and Russia) as well as active cooperation between the two countries� parliaments could play a key role in strengthening and consolidating our friendly ties in various regional and international arenas,� Qalibaf said in a letter on Thursday addressed to Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin.

Volodin had earlier congratulated Qalibaf on election as the new speaker of the Iranian Parliament.

The speaker added that all necessary measures should be taken in order to facilitate economic, trade, political, cultural and parliamentarian relations between Iran and Russia.

Recently, Russia�s Ambassador Levan Jagarian said one of the strategic objectives of Moscow is to strengthen and boost close ties with Iran in various fields.

Iran and Russia have formed a strong alliance in recent years, with both supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad�s legitimate government against foreign-backed militancy.