IRAN’S AMBASSADOR SAYS IRAN-ARMENIA PROJECTS TO RAISE REGIONAL
STABILITY AND EXTEND PEACE
ArmenPress
Nov 22 2004
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Iran’s ambassador to Armenia,
Ali Reza Haqiqian, described bilateral relations between the two
nations as “very good.” In an exclusive interview with Armenpress Mr.
Haqiqian said the 2001 visit by Armenian president Robert Kocharian to
Iran and Iran’s president, Mohammad Khatami’s visit to Armenia in 2004
have played a crucial role in boosting diverse Armenian-Iranian ties.
The ambassador said the construction of the 40-km long Armenian
section of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will start very soon. The
official ceremony will be attended by high-ranking officials of the
both sides. The ambassador said the tender for construction of the
100 km-long section on the Iranian side was wrapped up to be followed
soon by starting its construction.
The ambassador said also the second high-voltage line, intended
for electricity swap between Armenia and Iran will be accomplished
soon and start operation in December. The new line will allow both
countries to increase the volume of swapped electricity to 800
megawatt. Mr. Haqiqian stressed the importance of energy cooperation
between the two countries and said that the government officials of
both sides are working now to prepare the agreement for construction
of the third line.
Iran is also building a wind power station in Armenia’s north-east. The
Iranian Sanir firm plans to accomplish its construction by the end
of this year. The wind power station will have four turbines and will
produce about 2.6 megawatt electricity.
The ambassador also spoke about enabling roaming system between
the two countries’ mobile phone systems, which he said will play a
great role in improvement of communication between Iran and Armenia.
Mr. Haqiqian said also that construction of a hydro power plant on
the border river of Arax is high on the agenda of bilateral talks,
as well as construction of Kajaran tunnel. The latter is expected to
give the shortest overland route from Armenia to Iran and vice versa.
At the end of his interview the ambassador expressed hope that these
projects promoting Armenia’s economic growth and benefiting the entire
region will extend peace and stability in the region.