MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the significant contribution of former Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to cooperation among gas-exporting countries, noting that he was one of the most active participants in founding the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

"You have quite rightly mentioned the role of the former spiritual leader of the Iranian people, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was indeed one of the most active participants in the establishment of our forum, and we rightly remember this with gratitude," Putin said, addressing participants at the eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Moscow, the Russian capital.