IRANIAN DIPLOMAT SAYS BILATERAL RELATIONS IMMUNE FROM DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS

ArmenPress
July 20 2005

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS: In an interview with Armenpress, Mehdi
Safari, a special envoy of Iranian president on Caspian affairs,
said relations between Armenia and Iran are progressing, saying
also economic cooperation is in the limelight of both countries’
leaderships.

He said inspired by the growing economic cooperation Armenian and
Iranian governments are looking for new areas that would enable them
to use the available potential in full. Safari also underscored mutual
familiarizing visits of Armenian and Iranian businessmen, traders and
government officials saying they are important in terms of further
bolstering of economic collaboration. Mehdi Safari also denied fears
that the election of a new Iranian president might have any impact
on bilateral relations saying domestic developments in Iran have no
impact on Iran’s relations with other nations.

“Iran’s relations with Armenia have been developing steadily since
Armenia regained its independence and this process will continue
throughout the term of Iran’s new president, which is evidenced by
a series of high-level mutual visits on the eve and in the wake of
the election,” Safari said. Safari also reiterated Iran’s official
approaches towards regional developments, establishment of peace and
security here saying Iran is determined that all local conflicts must
be settled by peaceful means and through negotiations.

The Iranian diplomat also spoke about Armenian-Iranian cooperation in
energy describing it as “very successful,” singling out the ongoing
construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, soonest completion of
a wind-mill in Armenia built by Iran and seasonal electricity swap
between the two countries. He also praised the Armenian government
for deciding to build a second overland road connecting Armenia
with Iran saying it will be a serious input in further enhancement
of cooperation. At the end of his interview Safari commended the
Armenian community of Iran for its contribution to overall development
of bilateral relations, saying they enjoy the same rights as the rest
of Iran’s population.