Armenian President Pleased with Iran’s Progress

Fars News Agency, Iran
July 6 2006

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Armenian President Robert Kocharian said
in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here
Wednesday evening that he was proud and pleased to witness Iran’s
progress and achievements in different fields.

A statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press
Bureau said that during the meeting, Kocharian called for promotion
of Tehran-Yerevan ties and said the two countries’ close cultural and
historical bonds as well as common interests have paved the ground
for expansion of mutual ties.

The Armenian president praised the achievements of the Islamic Republic
of Iran in various fields.

He expressed the hope that continuing consultations between the two
countries’ officials would further strengthen ties, encourage opening
of joint ventures and raise the volume of trade exchanges.

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki turned to
prospects of Tehran-Yerevan ties, and said that the two countries
have numerous potentials to open up new areas of cooperation.

He said, "Holding joint commission sessions and more consultations
will help open new opportunities for cooperation in line with their
mutual interests."

Mottaki stressed the need for the implementation of agreements already
inked by the two countries.

"We are hopeful the two sides will be able to implement projects that
have been sidelined by adopting effective strategies." President
Kocharian arrived in Tehran at the head of a high- ranking
politico-economic delegation for a two-day official visit Wednesday
morning.

Elsewhere in another meeting also attended by Iranian President here
on Wednesday evening, Iranian and Armenian officials signed up seven
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the fields of energy, economic and
industrial infrastructures, legal and cultural heritage cooperation.