Iran, Armenia discuss boost in ties

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
July 20 2005

Moscow, July 20, IRNA — Iran and Armenia Tuesday in Yerevan explored
possible avenues for bolstering bilateral cooperation in various
political and economic fields.

In a meeting held between visiting Iran’s Special Representative
for the Caspian Sea Affairs and Director General of the Commonwealth
Independent States (CIS), Mehdi Safari, and Armenian President Robert
Kocharian, the two officials also discussed the latest regional
developments.

During the meeting, Safari handed over a written message of Iran’s
president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Kocharian, appreciating his
congratulatory message on his landslide victory in the 9th presidential
election.

Meanwhile, in a meeting between Safari and Head of the Armenian
presidential administration, Artashes Tumanian, in Yerevan on Tuesday,
the two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual concern.

The two officials discussed bilateral relations and projects currently
underway in the fields of gas, electricity and construction of
power plants.

Safari and Tumanian hoped the sixth session of joint Iran-Armenia
economic commission would be held in Tehran after inauguration of
the new government.

In a related development, Safari met with Armenian Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian in Yerevan on Tuesday during which the two sides
stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation within the framework
of North-South corridor.

Oskanian stressed his country’s determination to further boost
cooperation with Tehran.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed regional developments and
issues of mutual interest and called for consultation between Tehran
and Yerevan on international developments.