TEHRAN, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The visiting Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said here Monday that there is no obstacle to hinder the strategic ties between Iran and Russia, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported.

    "Russia's policy towards Iran will not change (and) there is no obstacle on the way of strategic bilateral cooperation," Shmatko said in a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

    He described political ties of Tehran and Moscow as "distinguished," adding that Russia's aim is to move toward long-term strategic cooperation, ISNA said.

    Mottaki also called for the promotion of bilateral cooperation in line with the convergence of regional countries.

    Both ministers discussed the ways to boost cooperation in "transportation, energy, trade, economy and banking."

    According to the report, the Russian energy minister is in Tehran to participate in a joint Iran-Russia economic meeting. He will also visit Iran's nuclear power plant in Bushehr which is under the construction by Russians.

    Russia, which has frequently postponed the launch of Bushehr power plant, said earlier in November that it would not start the reactor by the end of this year.

    According to previous plans announced by officials, the atomic power station in southern Iran was expected to be launched in 2009.

Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis