Khatami calls three-nation tour, ECO summit positive
Tehran Times, Iran
Sept 16 2004
TEHRAN (IRNA) — President Mohammad Khatami here Tuesday evening
assessed the outcomes of his visit to Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan
and his presence at the ECO summit as positive.
Talking to reporters at Mehrabad International Airport upon his
arrival, Khatami said the three countries are Iran’s friends which
have had good relations with Tehran since their independence.
“Attempts have been made that ties with the three states be directed
towards progress and development with more speed,” he said.
He added during his visit to Armenia, which took place at the
invitation of his Armenian counterpart, the two countries signed seven
documents for cooperation, adding the document on transfer of Iran’s
gas to Armenia was the most important one.
In the visit to Armenia, the sides discussed bilateral, regional and
international issues, the president noted.
Pointing to natural and industrial resources of Belarus, he said
Tehran and Minsk inked five documents.
Khatami said the commission of Iran’s potentials in Belarus will be
set up, adding a factory will also be established in Belarus for joint
production of paper. He referred to the deep-rooted cultural ties
with Tajikistan and said, “Iran’s trade exchanges with Tajikistan
have been increased during recent years by three times but there
still exist some potentials for further promotion of ties.”
Khatami noted that Iran and Tajikistan signed six documents, including
construction of Anzab tunnel and Sangtudeh power plant in participation
of Iran, Russia and Tajikistan.
Pointing to the ECO summit, held in Tajikistan on Tuesday,
the president stated that in today’s complicated world regional
organizations can play an effective role, adding regarding potentials
of the region and common history and culture of ECO nations, the
Economic Cooperation Organization can take many useful measures.
He stressed that Iran’s two proposals on reforming the trend of ECO
decision-making and establishing ECO free trade zone were approved
during the organization’s summit.
It is expected that the ECO would achieve its goal regarding the
setting up of the free trade zone by 2015, Khatami said.
He added that he held separate meetings with his Tajik, Afghan and
Kyrgyz counterparts as well as the prime ministers of Pakistan and
Turkey on the sidelines of the ECO summit.
President Mohammad Khatami arrived in Tehran on Tuesday evening,
ending his three-nation tour which took him to Armenia, Belarus
and Tajikistan.