TEHRAN - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived here Monday on a visit expected to focus on the Syria crisis and energy cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

During his stay, Putin will attend the 3rd summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and meet with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani.

Syria is expected to top the agenda in Putin's talks with Iranian officials.

The GECF is a gathering of the world's leading gas producers aimed at strengthening coordination and collaboration. The first summit was held in Qatar's capital Doha in 2011.

Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela are the member countries of the forum.

Iraq, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Peru and Azerbaijan have the status of observer members.