AHMADINEJAD: IRAN, ARMENIA TO CONTINUE REGIONAL COOPERATION

IRNA
Apr 14, 2009

Tehran, April 14, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday
that Iran and Armenia are determined to bolster mutual and regional
cooperation to promote security and stability of entire region.

President Ahmadinejad made the remark at a joint press conference
with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Tehran on Tuesday.

Cooperation among countries of the region with cultural commonalties
will bring peace, development and security to the whole region,
he said.

Nations in the region should broaden their ties in order to ensure
their welfare and development, he said.

Existing ties between Iran and Armenia are very deep-rooted, friendly
and developing, he underlined.

The two nations throughout history have always trusted each other
and enjoyed amicable ties, said the Iranian president.

Iran regards development of all nations including Armenia as its own,
he said.

Thanking the Armenian president for visiting Iran, President
Ahmadinejad called talks and agreements between the two sides as very
good and constructive.

"We are to broaden our cooperation at regional and international
levels," he said.

The perspetive of ties between Iran and Armenia is very very bright
and promising, he said and hoped to witness further success for the
two nations.

To a question on the status of Armenian minority in Iran, he said
E2They share common culture, civilization and interests with their
Muslim countrymen."

Armenian minority in Iran like other Iranians are protecting the
country’s independence, dignity, culture, civilization and territorial
integrity, he said.

During the sacred-defense era, all Iranian ethnic and religious groups
such as Armenian defended the country with courage, said the president.

For his part, the Armenian president said his visit would help bolster
his country’s ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Signing eight memoranda of understandings (MoU’s) on mutual cooperation
well demonstrate the outcome of his visit to Iran, he said.

"We are able to bolster and broaden mutual and regional cooperation
to help deepen and consolidate ties between the two nations," he
pointed out.

Calling the future of relations between Iran and Armenia as very
promising, he thanked the Iranian Supreme Leader, president and
nation for paying due attention to Armenian minority in Iran and
their cultural heritage.

The two presidents have signed eight MoU’ and issued a joint statement.