Iran and Armenia to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

TEHRAN — Iran and Armenia have underlined their determination to further strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the economic and cultural areas as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with visiting Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Thursday, Iranian PressTV reports.

During the talks, President Rouhani praised friendly ties between Iran and Armenia, emphasizing the need for further enhancement of cultural and economic relations between the two neighboring nations, according to the source.

The Iranian chief executive also pointed to Tehran’s joint economic projects with Yerevan and expressed hope that these projects will bear fruit as soon as possible.

Movsisyan, for his part, hailed the close ties between the two countries, stressing that the Armenian government and nation are keen to increase relations with the Islamic Republic.

The Armenian minister further reassured that his country will make efforts to remove obstacles in the way of the joint projects between Tehran and Yerevan.

He also relayed a written message from Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian to President Rouhani.

On November 5, Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian and his Armenian counterpart signed three agreements for the implementation of joint hydropower projects during their meeting in Tehran.

Chitchian said the new agreements were related to bartering electricity for natural gas, construction of a new hydroelectric power plant on the border river, Aras, and further electricity exchanges between the two countries.