Iran ready to participate in North-South road corridor program
President of Iran Hassan Rouhani says since Armenia’s independence they have witnessed friendly relations between the two countries, expressing hope that they will witness the development of these relations during the activities of new Armenian government.
“During the meeting we have reached good agreements at different directions. Since Armenia’s independence we have witnessed friendly relations between the two countries and we hope to witness the development of these relations during the activities of the new government”, Rouhani told reporters following his meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Tehran.
“During today’s meeting we held talks on bilateral, regional relations and various issues taking place in the world. At the meeting with Mr. Prime Minister we have expressed satisfaction over Armenia’s position towards the sanctions imposed on Iran. The goal of our two countries is to push forward the works in accordance with our interests and not to allow any third country to interfere in these works and cooperation”, Rouhani said.
The Iranian President added that Armenia and Iran have formed a very good cooperation, there is a high level of political, cultural relations, cooperation in education, tourism and other areas between the two states. “We want for the cooperation to be at a high level in the remaining areas as well. There is a great potential for the economic cooperation which must be better used. In the energy sector Armenia and Iran carry out gas for electricity major program. During our talks we also touched upon the issues relating to the Meghri HPP works”, the President said.
Rouhani said another key topic they talked about relates to the North-South road construction works. “The Iranian side expressed readiness to participate in that project. Facilitations in the transportation system, in particular, concerning the trucks, is under our spotlight. We have also touched upon the agriculture sector. The Iranian side is ready to cooperate in this sphere, develop the activity of slaughterhouses in Armenia and etc.”, Rouhani added.
The next topic of discussion related to the IT sector. “Given the good cooperation between our countries we express our readiness to develop the ties in this direction. During the talks we have also considered the cooperation at trilateral – with Georgia, and quadrilateral – with Russia, formats from the perspective of Armenia-Iran cooperation in energy sector. As for the cooperation in the gas sector, we have expressed the readiness of the Iranian side to increase the supply volumes. We are also ready to carry out a trilateral cooperation to export gas to Georgia.
Another topic of discussion related to connecting the Persian Gulf with the Black Sea via Armenia. Summing up my remarks, I want to state that the most important point is that both countries have a desire, potential and will to develop the relations. We have given instructions to the responsible officials to discuss all issues before the inter-governmental session”, Hassan Rouhani said.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Iran on a two-day official visit on February 27.
