If it’s possible to link the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf, it’ll create favorable conditions for the states of our region and beyond it

“We don’t observe obstacles, the security in Armenia, and Iran is of paramount importance. It’s a good ground for economic cooperation,” Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani said in his concluding remarks at Armenia-Iran Business Forum launched in Yerevan. He stated that one of the axes of his visit to Armenia is the development of Iranian gas export, its enlargement to Armenia.

According to Rouhani, the first step has been taken for better relations between the two nations, meaning launch of Iranian gas supply in Meghri and Agarak. “The next step to implement is banking relations between the two countries, and they should activate.

Without development of banking relations economic and trade ties can’t develop, it’s necessary that businessmen of the two countries were sure, that they can easily implement money transfers.

The third circumstance, which we should pursue, are customs and tax relations, our customs offices should contribute to transportation of goods and guarantee them.

We hope that step will be implemented. Fortunately, Iran’s custom house designed special conditions for Armenia and it may foster economic relations. The next circumstance, necessary for bilateral relations, is productive use of free economic zone. It may facilitate relations of the two states.

Geographical positions of Iran and Armenia are also important, as well as North-South transit corridor. It is possible to link the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf through highways and railways which will create favorable trade and economic conditions for the states of our region and beyond it.

We don’t observe any obstacles, the security available in Armenia and Iran, is of paramount importance. It’s a good ground for economic cooperation. We should take steps toward preferred tariffs and trade between both Iran and Armenia, as well as Iran and EEU, member of which is Armenia, and soon a convention will be held, and we hope that the first step between Iran and EEU will take place for preferred trade,” Rouhani said.

By Araks Martirosyan