IRAN, ARMENIA REVIEW EXPANSION OF RELATIONS

Asia Pulse
September 9, 2004 Thursday 8:25 PM Eastern Time

YEREVAN, Sept 9 — The chairmen of the Iran-Armenia Joint Commission
explored ways of expanding ties between the two countries here
Wednesday.

The Iranian chairman stressed Tehran’s firm will to expand bilateral
ties, and expressed hope the current visit of Iranian President
Khatami to Armenia would further consolidate and expand relations.

He pointed out that major steps have already been taken by the two
countries to boost relations in the energy and trade areas.

He said the volume of trade exchanges of the two countries in the
cuurent year shows an increase of 30 percent compared with the figure
last year.

The Armenian official said he believes relations between the two
countries received a remarkable boost after the latest visit of the
Armenian president to Iran, and expressed satisfaction with ongoing
Iran-Armenia joint projects. He also called for the expansion of
mutual ties in agriculture, culture and commerce.

He said new contracts that are to be signed by the two sides during
the current visit of President Khatami to Yerevan would further
enhance relations.

President arrived in Armenia on Wednesday morning on the first leg
of a three-nation regional tour.