Wednesday, February 27 2019 15:48

ArmInfo.On February 27, talks between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and  Iran's President Hasnn Rouhani were held in Tehran.

According to the press service of the RA government, the  interlocutors discussed numerous issues on the bilateral agenda.  Hassan Rouhani, expressing his gratitude to the head of the Armenian  government for accepting an invitation to visit the Islamic Republic  of Iran, congratulated Armenia on the changes that took place in  Armenia that were demonstrated through a democratic way. "Our  historic relations have always been friendly and we want to further  strengthen and develop them. Iran is always willing to have good  relations and continue these relations with neighbors, namely with  Armenia. I am sure that your visit to Iran will contribute to further  developing the bilateral political, economic and humanitarian  relations," said the head of Iran.

Prime Minister of RA thanked the Iranian president for the invitation  and the warm reception, stressed that Iran is close to Armenia not  only in terms of geography, but also friendly relations.  "Highly  important changes are taking place in Armenia, which are entirely  domestic processes, and no foreign power has been involved in our  country's political processes. This is a principled point for  understanding the processes that have taken place. I am sure that new  opportunities have opened also in terms of our relations, and we have  political will to realize them," Pashinyan said.  Pashinyan  emphasized that this is his third visit to Iran, first as a reporter,  second as a lawmaker, and the third and current one as a prime  minister.

Pashinyan also noted the warm attitude for the Armenian community in  Iran.  "This too strengthens our friendly attitude towards Iran.  During our one-on-one meeting we discussed important issues, I hope  that we will be able to reach the solution of a part of these issues  during this visit," the Armenian PM said.  Rouhani expressed  certainty that both sides' political will is sufficient in order for  the Armenian- Iranian relations to continue strengthening.  The sides  expressed certainty that not only will Armenia and Iran maintain the  high level ties based on mutual trust in the future, but will also  enhance and deepen them.  Speaking about the bilateral economic  agenda, Pashinyan and Rouhani highlighted the construction project of  the third 400KW Iran-Armenia power transmission line, which will  enable enhancing electricity and gas exchange volumes between the two  countries, thus contributing to the development of economic relations  and expansion of regional cooperation in this sector.  Pashinyan and  Rouhani also attached importance to the realization of the Meghri HPP  project and agreed to take practical steps in this direction soon.

The sides concurred that the bilateral trade turnover volumes aren't  as high as the level of political relations. They said that both  countries should do their best for enhancing bilateral trade volumes  and boosting mutual investments. In this context, Pashinyan spoke  about the Armenian government's actions that are aimed at making the  investment climate more favorable and attractive.

During the meeting, the interlocutors touched upon cooperation in the  field of agriculture and the possibility of increasing the export of  meat products from Armenia. The sides also exchanged views on the  possibilities of expanding cooperation in the field of information  technology, health care, in particular, pharmaceuticals, tourism,  nature conservation and the humanitarian sphere.

Pashinyan emphasized that the Armenian-Iranian cooperation is  contributing to strengthening of regional peace and stability and  added that Armenia appreciates Iran's balanced stance in the NK  conflict settlement issue.

Nikol Pashinyan and Hassan Rouhani concurred that a comprehensive and  long-lasting settlement of the NK conflict is possible exclusively  through a peaceful way, in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group - the  only internationally recognized structure dealing with the conflict  resolution. In this context, the sides also exchanged views on other  issues of regional significance.