Speaking to reporters on Wednesday before departing for Russia, Larijani pointed to the objectives of his official visit to the Russian city of Sochi, saying that he is going to attend the annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club and hold talks with senior Russian officials on the latest developments in the Middle East.
He further pointed to the current situation of the region and the Russian military attacks on foreign-backed terrorists in Syria, saying, “…We support Russia’s contribution to the counter-terrorism campaign, … which has been made at the legitimate request of the Syrian government.”
Since late September, Russia has been carrying out bombings against the ISIL terrorist group in Syria, after Russia’s parliament granted President Vladimir Putin authorization to deploy the country’s air force abroad.
Tehran has already described its unwavering support for Syria in the fight against terrorism as a “strategic decision.”
During his one-day visit, Larijani will deliver a speech at the 12th Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club entitled “Societies between War and Peace: Overcoming the Logic of Conflict in Tomorrow's World”.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular and Expatriates’ Affairs Hassan Qashqavi is also accompanying Larijani, who will return to Iran Thursday night.
The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It was named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the club’s first meeting took place.