FARS News Agency, Iran September 1, 2018 Saturday Official Calls for Expediting Completion of Iran-Armenia Electricity Transfer Line TEHRAN (FNA)- Chairman of Iran-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Ramezanali Sobhanifar urged speeding up the implementation of the third power transfer line between the two countries. "We call for implementation of the third electricity transfer line, investment in Meghri Free Economic Zone and mutual cooperation in establishing hydro, wind, and solar power plants in Armenia," Sobhanifar said in a meeting with Armenian National Assembly President Ara Babloyan. He underlined that Tehran and Yerevan have had strong ties and have stood by each other in hardships. "The parliaments of Iran and Armenia can contribute to cement bilateral ties in customs, investment, energy, transportation and commerce," he added. Babloyan, for his part, pointed to his country's close relations with Iran, and said, "Relations with Iran have always been of great importance and have not been affected by any regional issues." He reiterated that the two countries' relations have always been stable and will not be subject to any changes. "The two countries' parliaments can have collaborations in expanding energy infrastructure as well as trade cooperation," Babloyan said, while underlining the crucial importance of transportation, transit and customs for Iran and Armenia. He further said that Iran can make use of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) opportunities and strengthen relationships with EAEU and European Union (EU) through Armenia. In relevant remarks in late July, Iranian Deputy Energy Minister Homayoun Haeri announced that Tehran and Yerevan are currently working hard to finalize implementation of the third power transmission line from Iran to Armenia. "Taking timely measures for implementation of the third power transmission line from Iran to Armenia is one of the most important parts of Iran-Armenia bilateral and multilateral cooperation," Haeri said after his meeting with Armenian Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Artur Grigoryan in Yerevan. The Iranian deputy energy minister said that during his meeting with Grigoryan, the Armenian minister underlined that the importance of finalizing the project of construction of the third high-voltage Iran-Armenia power transmission line. Grigoryan, who serves also as a co-chairman of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission, noted that in the context of intensification of economic cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan, construction of a high-voltage power transmission line between Armenia and Georgia can play a serious role. The sides also exchanged views on the agreements reached at the 15th meeting of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission held in Yerevan in 2018. It was stressed that the intergovernmental commission has a special mission in deepening and expanding trade and economic relations between the countries. Both sides stressed the importance of the need to intensify mutual visits, which help find effective solutions to problems arising in the implementation of joint projects. Iran and Armenia signed four agreements in the fields of economy, customs and sports agreements in February. The four cooperation agreements in the fields of economy, customs and sports were inked at the closing ceremony of 15th Summit of Joint Commission of Iran and Armenia Cooperation. Earlier this year, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian had placed special emphasis on the necessity of steering public and private sectors to increase transaction volume and joint investment. "Fortunately, the 15th meeting of Joint Technical, Economic and Cultural Commission between Iran and Armenia was held in an amicable and peaceful environment," he said, adding, "I hope that mutual cooperation would be boosted between the two countries in the best possible form in future."