Monday, 9 October 2017
RA Prime Minister’s official visit to IRI kicks off: Karen Karapetyan and Es’haq Jahangiri discussed a number of issues aimed at expanding bilateral economic cooperation
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan has arrived in Iran on an official visit at the invitation of First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Es’haq Jahangiri. Following the official welcoming ceremony at the Mehrabagh airport in Tehran, the delegation led by Prime Minister Karapetyan left for the Royal Saudabad Palace where he had a private meeting with Es’haq Jahangir.
Thankful for a warm welcome, the head of the Armenian government once again congratulated Es’haq Jahangiri on his reappointment to the post of Iran’s First Vice President. Karen Karapetyan expressed high opinion of the close and friendly relations with friendly Iran, which continue to develop in an atmosphere of mutual trust. “I am hopeful that after this meeting we will give a new impetus to our cooperation and to all the programs on our agenda. Coming to economic interaction, it should be noted that it is much lower than the high level political dialogue between our two countries. But I am more than sure that we can boast new achievements in the economic dimension of our cooperation,” Karen Karapetyan pointed out.
The First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran thanked the Prime Minister of Armenia for accepting his invitation to visit Iran and hailed the current level of relations between the two countries. Es’haq Jahangiri highlighted the ongoing development of economic relations between the two neighboring States and expressed confidence that the RA Prime Minister’s official visit would contribute to the further activation and expansion of economic cooperation.
The Armenian Prime Minister and the First Vice President of Iran considered the construction of the 3rd Iran-Armenia 400-kV transmission line that will make it possible to increase the exchange of electricity and gas to promote the development of economic relations between the two countries and regional cooperation in this area.
The sides attached great importance to the implementation of the Meghri HPP project. The role of Syunik Free Economic Zone and the latter’s interaction with the Iranian Aras FEZ has been considered significant for the development of Iran-Armenia economic and commercial relations.
"I am sure that this zone may be of interest to such Iranian companies as may be willing to reach out the Eurasian and European markets since Armenia enjoys the GSP+ privileged trade regime with the European Union, as well as to those companies facing cooperation restrictions with Iran. In this context, the creation of an exporting importing company can also be an effective tool,” Karen Karapetyan noted, adding that the Armenian Government is ready to assist the company in entering the EAEU market.
Following the private talks between Karen Karapetyan and Es’haq Jahangiri, an expanded meeting followed, during which the prospects of cooperation in different spheres were discussed.
The development of international transport corridors, multimodal transit exchanges and the possible participation of Iranian companies in the construction of separate sections of the North-South Road Corridor program were considered to be key areas of cooperation between Armenia and Iran.
The interlocutors also touched upon Armenia-Iran-Turkmenistan trilateral energy cooperation. The need for closer cooperation between the two countries’ customs authorities was highlighted on either side. Prime Minister Karapetyan advised that the Armenian government has initiated the program of modernization of Armenia-Iran border checkpoint.
Touching upon the negotiations on Iran-EAEU Free Trade Agreement, the Armenian Prime Minister expressed the hope that the process will be completed as soon as possible and went on to note that the Armenian side is ready to provide all necessary assistance.
The sides concurred in that it is necessary to reinvigorate the activities of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission and agreed to hold the Commission’s regular 15th session in the near future.
The Prime Minister of Armenia and the First Vice President of Iran also touched upon the regional developments. In this context, Karen Karapetyan thanked the Iranian side for its balanced position over the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
Karen Karapetyan invited Es’haq Jahangiri to pay an official visit to Armenia, which was accepted with gratitude.
The meeting discussed issues related to cooperation in information technologies, communication, transport, agriculture, tourism, education and cultur
