Armenian PM Underscores Broadening of Economic Ties with Iran

During the meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, Pashanyan welcomed development of economic relations with Iran, expressing the hope that his visit to Tehran would open a new chapter in the two countries' relations.

Larijani, for his part, said that Iran and Armenia had good capacities for development of their cooperation in the fields of transit, energy, tourism, banking and academic areas.

He said that Eurasian Union (EAU) has good capacities for development of mutual economic cooperation.

Pashanian had also on Wednesday met with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that Tehran and Yerevan should endeavor to further broaden their relations and cooperation irrespective of Washington's pressures.

The Leader underscored the need for Iran and Armenia to put the goal of achieving ever-growing friendship and cooperation on their agenda to serve the interests of the two countries.

“Indeed, the Americans are totally untrustworthy and are seeking sedition, corruption, division and war everywhere, and they are against Iran-Armenia relations as well as [other] nations’ interests, but we have a duty to boost our cooperation and interactions in response,” he noted.

Ayatollah Khamenei described Iran and Armenia as good neighbors that enjoy historical ties, and underlined the need for raising the level of their economic cooperation, “Unlike what the Americans desire, the relations between Iran and Armenia should be solid, constant and friendly,” he said.

The Leader mentioned amicable relations between Iran and Armenia throughout the history, and said, “Iran and Armenia have never had any problems with each other, and we feel duty-bound under Islamic teachings to practice good neighborliness. Of course, American officials like (National Security Adviser) John Bolton have no understanding of such issues and human relations.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the current level of economic cooperation between Iran and Armenia was way below the potential of the two countries, calling for the two sides to seriously follow up on the implementation of the agreements signed during the visit.

The Leader also touched on the Karabakh issue, and said the dispute could be settled through continued negotiations between Armenian and Azeri officials and expressed Iran’s readiness to contribute to its resolution.    

Pashinyan, for his part, described his meetings in Tehran as “constructive and promising”, and hoped for the immediate implementation of the agreements signed in his visit. 

He said the history of Iran-Armenia good ties could contribute to further promotion of relations.

“Armenia has never joined and will not join any measure against Iran and we believe the development of ties with Iran serve our country and people,” Pashinyan said.

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