Khatami leaves Yerevan for Belarus

IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004

Yerevan, Sept 9, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami wrapped up his
two-day visit to Armenia on Thursday and left for Belarus, seen off
at he Yerevan airport by his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian.
A group of senior Armenian officials were present at the airport to
see off the Iranian president. Before his departure, both presidents
reviewed the guard of honor.

Khatami`s visit to Armenia made in response to Kocharian`s 2001 visit
to Tehran is said to have opened a new chapter in bilateral ties.
During his stay in Yerevan, Khatami met and conferred with Kocharian,
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdarsian and Prime Minister
Andranik Markarian.

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 two sides stressed the need for upgrading
the level of Tehran-Yerevan ties which are based on deep-rooted
friendship between the two nations.

The two sides called for continuation of regular consultations between
the two countries` officials.

During 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 mutual understanding and respect. The two sides also
exchanged views on key regional and international developments.

Khatami and Kocharian assessed as very good the outcome of 5th
meeting of Iran-Armenia joint economic commission and expressed hope
that implementation of the memoranda of understanding signed by the
two countries and effective activities of the commission would boost
bilateral cooperation between economic and transportation sectors of
both states and increase volume of mutual trade.

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 factors effective in promoting regional
cooperation.

The two presidents termed the current regional and international
situation as sensitive and welcomed restoration of peace, stability
and sustainable security to the region.

They assessed the Iranian president`s initiative of dialogue among
civilizations and consensus among all countries as an effective factor
for consolidation of friendship and understanding among nations.
Iran and Armenia stressed the important role of the United Nations
and other international organizations in strengthening peace and
security across the globe.

The two sides also exchanged views on the campaign against terrorism,
organized crimes and narcotic drugs and underlined the determination
of their respective countries to counter them. President Mohammad
Khatami arrived in Yerevan 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.