Armenia and Iran linked by long-term cooperation

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia and Iran have marked out prospects for lasting cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister, Co-chair of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission Manouchehr Mottaki said opening the 7th sitting of the commission.

The positive experience of bilateral relations, political will of leaders of both states and the existing potential open new horizons for expanding cooperation, according to him.

"The agenda includes development of important documents, specifically the agreement on creation of free trade area between Armenia and Iran, what will convey a positive impulse to the economic turnover between the two states. The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, construction of two power lines, increase of cargo and passenger transportation up to 60 thousand vehicles per year," Mr Mottaki said.

The Iranian Minister also noted Armenia's joining the North-South corridor, establishment of transit norms and availability of 3-4 flights a week as well as development of cooperation in agriculture and communications.

"Formation of trilateral committee (Armenia, Iran and Russia) to deal with construction of oil processing plant in Armenia. We are convinced that implementation of these projects will produce positive effect throughout the region," Mr Mottaki said, Novosti Armenia reports.

The first 40-km Meghri-Kajaran sector of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was put into operation March 19, 2007. The second segment will be finished till the end of 2008. Initially Armenia will receive 300-400 mln cubic meters of gas from the neighbor state. The amount will increase up to 2,3 bln annually.