Iran, Armenia presidents stress consolidation of ties
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Yerevan, Sept 9, IRNA — Iran and Armenia here Thursday issued a joint
communique expressing strong readiness to consolidate friendly ties
and fruitful bilateral cooperation in all fields.
In a meeting between visiting President Mohammad Khatami and his
Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian on the final day of Khatami`s
two-day visit to Armenia, the sides stressed the need for high level
of Tehran-Yerevan ties which are based on deep-rooted friendship
between the two nations.
The sides called for continuation of regular consultation between
the two countries` state bodies.
During President Khatami`s visit to Armenia, which took place at
the invitation of Kocharian, the two presidents discussed various
aspects of mutual relations as well as prospects of cooperation in
an atmosphere of understanding and mutual respect.
The two sides also exchanged views on key regional and international
developments.
Khatami and Kocharian assessed as very good the outcomes of 5th
meeting of Iran-Armenia joint economic commission and expressed hope
implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed between the
two countries and effective activities of the commission would boost
bilateral cooperation between economic sectors and transportation as
well as trade volume.
They cited construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, Kajaran tunnel,
hydroelectric power plant on Aras river and a number of other
joint ventures as among fruitful factors for expansion of regional
cooperation.
The presidents termed the current regional and international
situation as sensitive and welcomed restoration of peace, stability
and sustainable security in the region.
They assessed President Khatami`s initiative of dialogue among
civilizations and consensus among all countries as an effective factor
for consolidation of friendship and understanding between nations.
Iran and Armenia stressed the important role of the United Nations and
other international organizations in strengthening peace and security.
The sides also exchanged views on campaign against terrorism,
organized crimes and narcotics and hallucinogenic drugs and expressed
determination to adopt measures to counter them.
President Mohammad Khatami arrived here Wednesday on the first leg of
his regional tour which will also take him to Belarus and Tajikistan.
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini and Commerce
Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying President Khatami
in his regional tour.
Iranian and Armenian economic delegations, in the presence of Mohammad
Khatami and Robert Kocharian here Wednesday signed seven agreements
on energy cooperation.
The contracts envisages mutual cooperation in field of energy,
constructing a wind farm in Armenia, procedure for customs agreement,
financing the laying of a 40 kilometer gas pipeline in Armenia.