IRAN, ARMENIA SEEK TO BOOST TIES

Fars News Agency
Nov 24 2008
Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed
Jalili said that Tehran and Yerevan can further boost ties in the
different diplomatic, economic and security fields.

Speaking to reporters following his talks with Armenia’s National
Security Council Secretary Arthur Baghdasaryan, Jalili described his
talks with his Armenian counterpart as "very good".

"Iran and Armenia have had age-old, deep ties for years and today
Iran and Armenia as two friendly and neighboring countries share very
good interests in the different grounds, in bilateral, political,
security and economic areas in particular," he added.

Baghdasaryan, for his part, viewed his trip to Iran as "good" and
"fruitful", and stressed that his talks in Tehran have led into
"good conclusions".

"During negotiations my counterpart showed that he is fully aware of
regional and international matters," he said.

He said the 10 agreements made during the talks have reached practical
stages.

The Iranian and Armenian security official have agreed to expand
cooperation, he told reporters.

The Armenian official, who has conferred with Iran’s President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad on Sunday, invited Jalili to pay a visit to his country
whenever appropriate.

Earlier during the meeting with Jalili on Sunday, Baghdasaryan
underlined Armenia’s strong support for Tehran’s civilian nuclear
program.

"Armenia favors Iran’s fundamental stances," Baghdasaryan added and
called for Iran’s active cooperation for a collective measure to
provide Caucasus security.