Armenian President interested in expansion of cooperation with Iran

According to IRNA, the Media Office of the Armenian Republic Presidential Office further quoted President Sargsyan in his meeting with the Iranian Head of the State Commission for Iran-Armenia Cooperation, “I am sure this commission plays a major role in expansion of bilateral cooperation in various political, economic and cultural fields.”

He added, “Armenia is interested in expansion and deepening its beneficial relations with its neighbor Iran and this would naturally lead and contribute to the growth of our bilateral economic ties.”

The Armenian president expressed satisfaction over the growing trend of Iran-Armenian relations, arguing, “The two countries’ ties are expanding permanently and in near future the completion of Moqri Hydroelectric Power Plant over Aras River and its being put to use would be another example of the fruitful Iran-Armenia cooperation.”

The Islamic Republic of Iran Energy Minister and Iranian Head of the State Commission for Iran-Armenia Cooperation Majid Namjou, too, said in the meeting, “The session of the State Commission for Iran-Armenia Cooperation have always been convened successfully and exactly on scheduled time, and important bilateral agreements have been achieved in each and every one of them.”

He added, “As the head of State Commission for Iran-Armenia Cooperation I would spare no effort aimed at materializing the achieved agreements in the course of the recent meeting between the presidents of the two friend countries.”

Both the Iranian and the Armenian side in the meeting emphasized the need for expansion of bilateral cooperation in energy field.

Iran-Armenian relations have grown and strengthened meaningfully during the course of the recent years in political, economic, economic, energy, and cultural fields.

Iran and Armenia have been in contact for thousands of years. Armenia was conquered by the Persian Empire several times throughout history, particularly in the Median, Achaemenid, Parthian, Sassanid, and Safavid periods.

Due to cultural and historical ties, Armenia was sometimes considered part of the Greater Iran. Armenia and Iran enjoy cultural and historical ties that go back thousands of years.

There are no border disputes between the two countries and the Christian Armenian minority in Iran has official recognition and a representative at the IRI Parliament.

Stephan Safarian, of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies, has said 'Given this geopolitical environment, Armenia has the legitimate right to cooperate with Iran for ensuring its security... Besides, Armenia has an energy surplus and its only major export market at present is Iran... So there is also a lot of economic interest involved.'

Of special importance is the cooperation in the field of energy security. In addition to a pipeline that will bring the Iranian natural gas into Armenia. Additionally, the two states have also implemented other multi-million dollar energy projects. These include the construction of two hydroelectric power plants on the Aras River that marks the Armenian-Iranian border, a third high-voltage transmission line linking their power grids and dams, among other projects.

In July, 2007, a memorandum was signed on the start of feasibility studies on the ideas of building an Armenian-Iranian railway and a Russian-owned oil refinery that would process Iranian crude. In addition, the Armenian and Iranian governments have been working on a bilateral free trade agreement that could be signed by the end of 2007.

The Armenian government is building a second, bigger highway leading to the Iranian border in the hope of boosting trade with Iran. In 2005, Armenia’s trade with Iran totaled a modest 105 million US dollars. Trade volume between the two countries increased to 200 million US dollars in 2009. Trade relations continue to be strong.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been quoted as saying 'The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes and supports the development of ties with Armenia in various areas, particularly in energy as well as transportation, sports, and tourism fields.”

Iran's cultural attaché to Armenia, Reza Atufi, has announced that the two countries have reached a preliminary agreement to make a joint television series. He said that the joint venture would portray the social and cultural life of Iran and Armenia and expand cinematic ties between the two countries. There are also Iranian Armenians that maintain the language.

Courtesy: Wikipedia for the background

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