Tehran Times, Iran
June 30 2004

Bitaraf Lauds Iran-Armenia Cooperation

TEHRAN (PIN) – Economic cooperation between Iran and Armenia has been
fruitful for both countries in all fields.

Speaking at a meeting with the visiting Armenian Chief of Staff
Artashes Tumanian, Iranian Minister of Energy Habibollah Bitaraf
stated that relations between Tehran and Yerevan were important to
the whole region and called for expansion of economic, political and
cultural collaboration in all fields.

Referring to joint projects underway with Armenia including an
Iranian gas pipeline, the minister stated that Iran pursued a power
exchanged with Armenia in return for gas sales to that country.

Tumanian stated that completion of the Iran- Armenia gas pipeline was
a result of the participation of the Iranian Energy Ministry.

Referring to other joint projects between the two countries including
a dam and a power plant on the Aras River, he called for more
cooperation in energy between the two countries. The two sides also
reviewed joint water and electricity projects including the third
power transmission line, a windmill, as well as the Aras dam and
power plant. MSK/DWN