Armenian FM, Iranian leadership hail bilateral ties during Tehran meeting

PanARMENIAN.Net - Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran Monday, May 5, foreign ministry press service reported.

Iranian leader welcomed the achievements of the two countries in bilateral relations as well as a number of joint programs implemented. The parties further focused on implementation of agreements reached and joint economic programs, with Nalbandian inviting the Iranian president to visit Armenia.

On the same day, Nalbandian met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif to discuss bilateral ties and the latest regional developments, FARS News reported.

During the meeting, the Iranian foreign minister hailed the friendly relations between the two countries, noting that "the two states have close stances on important regional and international issues."

He underlined the need for the further expansion of relations between Tehran and Yerevan. Zarif also called for the resumption of the operation of Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission.

The Armenian foreign minister, for his part, welcomed the age-old Iran-Armenia relations, and said, "My country is willing to cooperate with Iran in different areas and I hope that mutual cooperation will further expand in view of the positive atmosphere of today's talks."

A meeting with Iranian Majlis speaker Ali Larijani was also on Nalbandian’s agenda, with the parties stressing the importance of cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies in boosting Armenian-Iranian ties.

Nalbandian arrived in Tehran at the head of a high-ranking political delegation to hold talks with senior Iranian authorities.

In recent years, Iran and its Northern neighbor Armenia have boosted cooperation, signed agreements on energy cooperation and agreed to cooperate in technology and research and enhance ties in commerce and economy.