Iran keen on expanding of relations, cooperation with Armenia: Pres. Rouhani

Addressing a joint meeting of high-ranking Iranian and Armenian delegations on Wednesday, Hassan Rouhani said, 'The Islamic Republic of Iran has always wanted to develop its relations with neighboring countries, especially Armenia, and pursues this path seriously.' 

The president assessed the developments in Armenia as peaceful and on a democratic path, adding that the trip will strengthen the political, economic, cultural and development of relations between the two nations. 

Rouhani pointed out that today there is political will and sufficient motivation to develop relations and cooperation between the two governments, and said, 'We must strive to promote the level of economic and trade cooperation to reach the desired and mutually acceptable level for the two countries.'

The president considered an agreement with the Eurasian Union and a preferential trade agreement that would create the conditions for the development of economic relations between the two countries and went on to say, “Iran and Armenia can cooperate in the energy sector, including in the field of gas and electricity bilaterally and with other regional countries as well as establishing Iran's refinery in Armenia.“

The high-ranking official highlighted, 'There are good opportunities and capacities in Iran and Armenia to develop relations in various sectors of agriculture, including animal husbandry, cultivation of products and the establishment of cultural and industrial companies, which should be working to facilitate the conditions for the development of joint cooperation in this area.” 

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran has expressed the importance of developing banking relations in expanding Iran-Armenia trade and economic cooperation and noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to develop relations with Armenia in various sectors of medicine, health, health tourism, industry and mining, export of products ICT, modern technologies, transportation, transit of goods, scientific and tourism, and environmental cooperation in the Aras area.

Rouhani noted that the two countries should provide the necessary conditions for the full development of relations between the two countries through the appropriate efforts and planning at the Joint Commission on Cooperation between Armenia and Iran. 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, for his part, also thanked Iran for welcoming and warm hospitality towards the Armenian delegation during its visit to Tehran.

'Iran is a neighbor and close friend of Armenia,' the Armenian Prime Minister added. 

'We are interested in developing and deepening the all-embracing relations and promoting the level of cooperation in various fields, economics and culture, Agriculture, transportation, communications and tourism with the Islamic Republic of Iran,' said the Armenian PM, pointing out that 'we should use many opportunities and capacities we have to increase our friendships and cooperation'.

Pashinyan stressed that the development of the Eurasian Union's cooperation with Iran and the adoption of a preferential trade agreement in the parliaments of the member-states would be a major development for the region.