IRAN HAS NO OBSTACLES TO DEVELOPMEMT OF ITS RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA, MAHMUD AHMEDINEJAD STATES

Noyan Tapan
Mar 19 2007

MEGHRI, MARCH 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Following the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline opening ceremony on March 19, an agreement on cooperation
for construction and operation of hydropower plants on the Arax River
was signed between the two governments. Then a joint press conference
of the presidents of the two countries Robert Kocharian and Mahmud
Ahmedinejad took place.

R. Kocharian said that the opening of the gas pipeline is an historical
event which opens a new page in Armenian-Iranian relations. "After
independence, Armenia encountered great difficulties – war, blockade,
energy crisis. Today these difficulties are somewhat vague in our
memory but we all remember the good will of the Iranian people and
authorities and their willingness to help us. Our relations are
proceeding in a systematic way, and we are grateful to the Iranian
side for such attitude," the Armenian president said. He noted that
only 10 years ago the energy systems of Armenia and Iran were not
interconnected while today the matter concerns construction of a
second high-voltage line.

Expressing satisfaction over the opening of the gas pipeline, the
Iranian president said: "I’m glad that we have the opportunity to open
a gas pipeline, provide a new service to the Armenian people and take a
great step in development of Armenian-Iranian relations. Over the past
15 years, the bilateral relations have undergone a development. The
peoples of the two countries are prepared to further develop and extend
bilateral relations. I think these projects realized have strengthened
even more the friendship and links of our two peoples." According to
M. Ahmedinejad, during his short visit, issues related to bilateral
relations, previous programs were discussed, new agreements in new
spheres were reached. "Iran has no obstacles to development of its
relations with Armenia," he stated.

Assessing the current level of bilateral relations, the Armenian
president said that active political contacts are done through
intergovernmental commissions. "It is crucial to form a sensitive
field in our relations and try to implement economic programs which
will link our economies not only in trade but also in infrastructure
sphere. This is the essence of our relations, political contacts
and steps taken in the sphere of economy and it presupposes serious
prospects in terms of developing our bilateral relations."

In response to the question: "Which projects do you give
preference?" the Iranian president said that development of bilateral
relations in energy, economic, commodity turnover, water resources
and communication sectors was discussed, and respective expert work
will start soon in these sectors. "We view development of the two
countries in the interest of the peoples of our countries and for
the benefit of regional stability and security," he said.