Armenia Stresses Iran’s N. Rights

Fars News Agency, Iran
July 21 2007

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan
voiced his country’s support for Iran’s right to access peaceful
nuclear technology.

Sargsyan made the remarks in a meeting in Yerevan on Friday with the
visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki who is on visit
to Yerevan to attend the two countries’ joint economic commission,
a statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press
Bureau said.

During the meeting, the Iranian minister elaborated on the achievements
of the two countries’ joint commission, and pointed out that the
achievements of the two countries’ relations should be made tangible
to the people of both states, adding that such a goal could be
materialized through implementation of the projects underway.

He further voiced pleasure in the two sides’ agreements on the
construction of an oil refinery, a railroad and a power plant as well
as the two states’ cooperation in auto-manufacturing.

Mottaki said that the turnover of Iran’s economic and trade exchanges
with the world amounts to $100 bln, adding that Iran’s trade exchanges
with friendly countries amount to, at least, $1 bln.

He also said cooperation in banking affairs, presentation of more
facilities for traders and industry owners, exploitation of the
port facilities and installations in Iran’s port city of Anzali,
reactivation of exports and transit facilities present proper grounds
and opportunity for the further deepening of Iran-Armenia relations.

Regarding Iran’s nuclear developments, Mottaki stressed Tehran’s
constructive talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
and said that the two sides have accelerated the confidence-building
process.

He also described talks between Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali
Larijani and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana as promising,
and said, "These are indications of the Islamic Republic’s firm
determination to materialize the aspirations of its own people who
demand access to a home-grown civilian nuclear technology."

Concerning Iraq, the Iranian foreign minister underlined that he
United States’ improper approaches and strategies have complicated
the situation in Iraq, and that Iraqi people are each day paying a
heavy price for the current insecurities in that country.

He also viewed transfer of all affairs to the popular Iraqi government
as the only way to end the present crisis.

For his part, Armenian prime minister noted the two countries’ good
relations, and stressed that Yerevan attaches much significance to
the progress and advancement of the two countries’ relations.

He also underscored that Iran-Armenia political and economic ties
should undergo simultaneous and parallel development.

Serzh Sargsyan further pointed to Iran’s various economic and trade
potentials, and said that the two countries’ enjoy abundant potentials
for the further consolidation of ties and cooperation.

He also attached much importance to the implementation of projects,
role of transportation and construction of the two countries’ railroad.

The official said that accelerated endorsement of trade agreements
by the two countries can open vast horizons to the two countries’
economic and trade ties and cooperation.

Referring to Iran’s significant role in regional developments, he said,
"We have witnessed the conditions in Iraq from a close distance,
and we have found Iran’s role in regional developments as outstanding."

He reiterated that Iran should have an active participation in
regional developments.

Concerning Iran’s nuclear case, the Armenian premier underlined that
Yerevan has not changed its positions, and said that his country
supports Iran’s right to access peaceful nuclear technology.