[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Persian]

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called relations with Iran a "top priority" and said that cooperation between the two countries is important for the regional peace and stability, Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on 27 February.

"Friendly relations between Iran and Armenia have always been a priority for Armenia. We are keen to develop these relations further," Nikol Pashinyan was quoted as saying in an interview with IRNA before his today's trip to Tehran.

Asked about Yerevan's position regarding the US sanctions on Iran, he said that Armenia is keeping up with developments around Iran as the latter is one of Yerevan's "key partners".

"In the existing circumstances, Armenia continues its regular activities and holds negotiations both with Iran and other parties. We have clearly voiced issues which concern us and our position on them. I believe that Armenia's constructive approach will be a positive factor in finding solutions to the existing problems," Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan had said earlier that his government would maintain its "special" relationship with Iran. "The goal of these relations is not to harm a third side. In these relations Armenia will not participate in the process of harming any other [side]," Pashinyan said following his meeting with US National Security Adviser John Bolton in October.

Pashinyan also said that a free trade agreement between Iran and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union would create new prospects for trade and investments between the countries involved, IRNA reported.

He also voiced Armenia's political will to expand ties with Iran in energy, gas, tourism, agriculture and other sectors, stating that "the existing potentials should be used to a wider extent", the report said.