AHMADINEJAD VIEWS TEHRAN-YEREVAN TIES AS DEVELOPING
Fars News Agency
Oct 22 2007
Iran
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad voiced
pleasure with the developing ties between his country and Armenia,
and called for the further bolstering of all-out cooperation between
the two states.
Speaking to reporters prior to his departure for Yerevan, Ahmadinejad
noted the two countries’ common views and shared understanding about
mutual and regional issues and potentials.
He said Iran-Armenia relations are developing in such different
areas as energy, culture, communications, trade, joint investment,
electricity and gas.
The president further expressed the hope that the visit would lead
to the deepening of the two countries’ amicable ties and pave the
way for the facilitated expansion of mutual relations and cooperation.
Reminding that his visit would take place at the official invitation
of his counterpart and in response to Kocharian’s earlier visit to
Tehran, Ahmadinejad said that he had endorsement of several letters
of understanding on the agenda of his tour of Armenia.
Ahmadinejad, heading a high ranking delegation, left Tehran for
Yerevan on Monday.
During the two-day visit which will take place at the invitation of
Armenian President Robert Kocharian, the Iranian president will be
accompanied by his first vice-president, foreign minister, defense
minister, vice-president for executive affairs and oil ministry
caretaker.
Ahmadinejad is scheduled to meet senior Armenian officials and sign
several agreements on mutual cooperation with that country.
Addressing university students in Yerevan and also a meeting with
Iranian expatriates are included in Ahmadinejad’s itinerary as well.
The president is due to receive an honorary PhD and a medal after
delivering the speech at Yerevan University.
Over 3,000 Iranian students are studying at different Armenian
universities while 120,000 Armenians are living in Iran.
The two countries’ trade exchanges amount to over USD20 mln.