RA FOREIGN MINISTER’S VISIT TO IRAN STARTS
Noyan Tapan
Se p 17, 2008
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. President of Iran Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad received RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian who arrived
in Tehran on an official visit on September 16. During the meeting,
E. Nalbandian and M. Ahmadinejad exchanged thoughts about establishment
of cooperation and stability in the region, discussed the latest
developments in the region. In that context E. Nalbandian expressed
gratitude for assistance to transportation of goods of vital importance
to Armenia through the territory of Iran in the days of the crisis.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that efficient economic cooperation,
a large legal-contractual field have been formed between Armenia
and Iran, many mutually beneficial programs of economic cooperation
are fulfilled.
Readiness to further develop cooperation was expressed.
According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA Foreign
Ministry Press and Information Department, before that E. Nalbandian
met with IRI Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
Issues on the agenda of bilateral relations, jointly implemented and
envisaged programs of economic and cultural cooperation, especially in
the sphere of energy and transport, were discussed at the meeting. The
interlocutors reaffirmed readiness to develop bilateral relations
based on mutual interest. Both sides also mentioned that there is
great potential in the sphere of economic cooperation.
The Armenian and Iranian Foreign Ministers also discussed the latest
developments in the region and their impact on regional stability
and security. E. Nalbandian said that Armenia has always been for
establishment and strengthening of peace and stability in the region
and considers that any disputable issue should be solved exclusively
by peace, through negotiations and dialogue.
At M. Mottaki’s request the RA Foreign Minister presented the latest
developments and prospects of Nagorno Karabakh problem settlement
negotiations. According to E. Nalbandian, in case of manifestation
of proper political will we can achieve the problem settlement, the
basis of which should be the recognition and fulfillment of right
of Nagorno Karabakh people’s self-determination. He also presented
Armenia’s views on possibilities of normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations to his Iranian counterpart.
Touching upon bilateral cultural relations, E. Nalbandian highly
evaluated careful attitude to Armenian historic-cultural monuments
by the Iranian authorities referring to inclusion of two prominent
Armenian monuments, Saint Stepanos and Saint Tadevos Apostle churches
in the list of UNESCO world heritage as evidence of Iran’s careful
attitude to monuments.
During the meeting with Chairman of Iranian Majlis Ali Larijani,
E. Nalbandian attached importance to efficient cooperation of the RA
and IRI legislative bodies in the issue of strengthening bilateral
relations. He expressed satisfaction with attitude to the Armenian
community of Iran, one of manifestations of which is presence of two
deputies from the Armenian community in the IRI Majlis.
E. Nalbandian also met with Sayid Jalili, the Secretary of the IRI
National Security Higher Council. During the meeting, the interlocutors
touched upon the latest regional events and exchanged thoughts about
problems regarding provision of security in the region. They also
discussed the possibilities of cooperation of the two countries’
Security Councils.
During his stay in Tehran E. Nalbandian also visited the RA Embassy.
In the evening of September 16 Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr
Mottaki organized a supper in honor of Edward Nalbandian.