IRAN TALKS UP TRADE WITH ARMENIA
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)

The Messenger, Georgia
July 19 2007

Speaking in Yerevan on Tuesday, the head of the economic cooperation
department of the Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Sayed Mehdi
Mirabutalebi, stated that political dialogue between Iran and
Armenia is at a higher level than simply economic cooperation. And,
he says, it’s significant that concrete steps are being made to deepen
economic ties.

The news agency Regnum reports that Mehdi Mirabutalebi emphasized
the importance of a free trade regime between the two countries in
increasing trade turnover. He predicted that trade in 2007 should
hit USD 1 billion in value.

In 2006, trade turnover between Iran and Armenia was just USD 150
million, according to Regnum.

Iranian and Armenian officials are expected to sign a free trade
agreement on July 20 at an intergovernmental conference.