PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN’S OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
President.am
April 15 2009
Armenia
At the invitation of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on April 13 the President of the Republic
of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan arrived on a two-day official visit
to Iran. This is the first visit of Serzh Sargsyan to Iran in his
capacity as President of Armenia.
At the Mehrabad airport of Tehran after the official welcoming ceremony
Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held a private
meeting, which was followed by the negotiations in the extended format.
The Presidents of the two states hailed the high level of bilateral
relations viewing them as promising, expressed satisfaction with the
current level of political dialogue, underlined their readiness to
further expand the interstate relations, noting that this kind of
visits and active contacts provide opportunities to discuss and find
solutions to different issues on the action-packed Armenian-Iranian
agenda.
President Serzh Sargsyan said that Armenia attaches special importance
to the dynamic development of its relations with Iran, viewing it as
a reliable and pivotal neighbor and a friend in need. He expressed
gratitude for friendly assistance in importing to Armenia via Iran’s
territory goods of first necessity not only during the first years of
Armenia’s independence but also during last August events. In his turn,
President Ahmadinejad assessed constant deepening of the relations
with Armenia as one of its country’s foreign policy priorities. "It
is necessary to maintain and augment our achievements," noted the
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad underscored
that centuries-long Armenian-Iranian relations contribute to the
strengthening of peace and stability in our region. "Consideration of
major infrastructure projects is the best evidence to our aspirations
for further expansion and deepening of our friendly relations. I
am confident that the reached agreements will become documents,
implementation of which will make our friendship even stronger,"
stressed the President of Armenia. The Presidents of Armenia and
Iran highlighted the importance of the Armenian-Iranian community in
strengthening bilateral relations.
At the high-level Armenian-Iranian meeting discussed were also issues
pertaining to further expansion of trade and economic cooperation,
increase of trade turnover, construction of the Iran-Armenia railroad,
joint construction of a hydropower station on Araks River, as well
as different programs in the areas of energy, transportation, and
trade. The parties discussed also regional issues.
At the request of the President of Iran, the President of Armenia
spoke about the latest developments in the Armenian-Turkish political
dialogue and the NK peace process. The two sides stressed the
importance of solving all problems through peaceful negotiations,
viewing cooperation, peace and security as important prerequisites for
the well being and prosperity of the peoples of the region. President
Sargsyan expressed gratitude to President Ahmadinejad for Iran’s
constantly balanced position toward the NK conflict resolution.
President Serzh Sargsyan and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed
satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations.
Later that day, the President of Armenia had a meeting with Iran’s
Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani. The two sides praised the works of the
parliamentary group on the Armenian-Iranian friendship, highlighting
the importance of interparliamentary cooperation in strengthening and
promoting friendship between the two nations. Speaking about programs
discussed during the high-level meeting, the Speaker of Majlis noted
that they were realistic and doable. At the request of Ali Larijani,
President Serzh Sargsyan spoke about the anticrisis measures undertaken
by the Armenian Government. The parties exchanged views on a number
of regional and international issues.
Late afternoon on April 13, the President of the Islamic Republic
of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave an official dinner in honor of the
President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan.