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."