Iranian foreign minister meets Armenian prime minister in Yerevan

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have in a meeting discussed the latest developments in bilateral ties and the regional situation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have in a meeting discussed the latest developments in bilateral ties and the regional situation.

Amirabdollahian underlined the importance of expanding relations with neighbors, including Armenia, in the Iranian administration’s foreign policy. He also reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s support for establishing permanent peace between the Republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia, resolving border disputes and stabilizing borders and the territorial integrity of regional countries.
Amirabdollahian stressed the necessity of building up intra-regional economic and cultural cooperation to strengthen neighborliness.

The top Iranian diplomat said the opening of Iran’s consulate general in the Armenian town of Kapan is meant to expand relations between the two countries, especially trade, transportation and transit ties. Amirabdollahian further welcomed the opening of Armenia’s consulate general in the city of Tabriz.

Referring to the $700mn trade between Iran and Armenia and their potential in the trade, energy and agriculture sectors as well as in power and gas exchange, Amirabdollahian said in the first stage, this amount should be raised to $1bn and in the next phase, efforts must be made to further increase it to $3bn.

He underscored the need to preserve and expand the north-south corridor through Armenia, adding that the Islamic Republic of Iran is opposed to any geopolitical change in the region and also to any change in borders.

The Iranian foreign minister also said Iran opposes the presence of foreign forces in the region. He underlined the need to use opportunities inside the region, including the 3+3 mechanism, adding that regional problems must be resolved by the regional countries themselves.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for his part appreciated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled stance on regional developments. He also thanked Iran for helping restore peace and stability in the Caucasus region and reaffirmed his country’s readiness to further cooperate with the Islamic Republic.

Pashinyan reiterated that Iran’s position during the talks over the revival of the nuclear deal has been logical and also congratulated the opening of the Iranian consulate general in the town of Kapan. He said the move is a sign of the will of Iran and Armenia to expand their ties and cooperation.

Pashinyan said Armenia is prepared to open its consulate general in Tabriz, noting that Iran and Armenia have increasingly expanded their ties in the tourism sector due to their common culture.