MOSCOW, September 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Hassan Rouhani of Iran are expected to discuss the most sensitive problems of bilateral cooperation and, quite possibly, cooperation in defense-related technologies when they meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Dushanbe, the Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Wednesday.

“I don’t rule out that the most sensitive problems will be raised at the presidential level,” Ushakov said, adding that the problem of defense technologies might also be raised at the bilateral meeting.

This will be the second meeting between the Russian and Iranian Presidents this year, Ushakov said. Efforts to build up bilateral trade will again become the central item on the agenda, as the trade turnover is shrinking and this is partly happening because of U.S. unilateral sanctions against Iran.

Ushakov said Putin and Rouhani would discuss the knottiest issues of cooperation in the commercial use of atomic energy. The two sides have already gained extensive experience of cooperation, as the first power-generating unit of the Bushehr nuclear plant was launched in Iran last year.

Supplies of Russian equipment for the oil and gas sector and the power engineering industry make up another promising area.

The two sides will also consider pressing international issues, including the talks on the Iranian nuclear program, the situation in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, and peace settlement in the Middle East.

Ushakov also said that trilateral Russia-China-Mongolia talks would be held in Dushanbe for the first time ever.

“It is hoped the meeting in Dushanbe will usher in a series of trilateral talks,” he said.

The sides will map out the most promising areas of cooperation and will discuss the plans for ramification of cross-border railway corridors and the opportunities for setting up a regional power grid.

The three countries also have fair opportunities for collaboration in infrastructures, mining, healthcare, agriculture, as well as the elimination of natural calamities and manmade disasters.