ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO IRAN, A NEW CHAPTER IN RELATIONS

Fars News Agency, Iran
May 17 2006

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Armenian Energy Minister Tuesday met
with Iranian Foreign Minister and discussed avenues available for
consolidation of the two countries’ ties.

A statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and
Press Bureau said that during the meeting, Mottaki noted the common
interests shared by the two states and their profound relations and
stated that the visit to Iran by the Armenian Energy Minister could
pave the way for future agreements in the two countries’ 6th joint
commission meeting.

Noting the necessity for promoting the two countries’ relations,
the Iranian Minister underlined that the two sides should study new
ideas and grounds of cooperation very actively.

He also stated that the two countries should prepare the grounds
required for the promotion of relations through cooperation in areas
of road communication, tunnel excavation, railroad, activation of
private companies, providing more business facilities, reducing trade
risks and facilitating of exchanges.

Mottaki said that the two states’ cooperation could reach a desirable
level through upgrading of the existing trade balance, adding that
Iran and Armenia should build more and more capacities.

For his part, Armenian Energy Minister Armen Mousisian expressed
pleasure with the performance of the two countries’ joint commissions
and welcomed the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s taking up of the
responsibility of the said commissions.

“In light of the two countries’ profound ties, we have succeeded in
implementing all the approvals of the joint commission,” he said.

Viewing exchange of visits by the two countries’ officials significant,
he said that the upcoming visit to Tehran by the Armenian president
could open a new chapter in the two states’ interactions.

Mousisian further stated that talks by the two countries about
construction of the gas pipeline project, exchange of electricity and
construction of new link roads could serve to be a turning point in
mutual cooperation.