The Government of the Republic of Armenia

At the invitation of Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, an Iranian delegation headed by First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri has arrived in Armenia on a two-day official visit. An enlarged meeting of the two delegations was held following the private talks of Hovik Abrahamyan and Eshaq Jahangiri.

In conclusion, the Armenian Premier and the Iranian First Vice President met with mass media to summarize their meeting. Below is the full text of their joint statement.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan – We have just completed our meeting with IRI First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri and his delegation, which went off in a warm and friendly atmosphere. During our private talks and the extended meeting, we reiterated our commitment to expanding and boosting bilateral cooperation, based on the deeply rooted friendship between our two peoples and an atmosphere of mutual trust.

We summarized follow-up work on implementation of the agreements reached during the visit I paid to Iran just a year ago and discussed a wide range of issues concerning future activities.

Pleased with the positive outcome of the talks on Iran’s nuclear program, we expressed confidence that they would serve the interests of regional and international security and sustainable development and will open up new prospects for cooperation with Iran in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

We discussed issues specifically related to the expansion of trade and economic exchanges, energy projects, transport infrastructure, prospects of cooperation in agriculture, as well as in humanitarian, educational and cultural spheres. We reviewed the details of the third Iran-Armenia high-voltage transmission line project.

Mindful of the importance of this project, we were pleased to announce that construction work have already started, and expressed confidence that they would complete in 2018 in accordance with the established timetable. We took the time to address the Meghri HPP project and the pace of construction of a gas distribution network in border regions.

We discussed road infrastructure projects, including the North-South Road Corridor Investment Program and the Armenia-Iran railway project, underlining their pivotal role in improving regional cooperation and economic growth.

We reaffirmed our satisfaction with the joint efforts in the field of agriculture on both interstate and inter-regional levels. The need for closer cooperation as to the protection of historical and cultural heritage was emphasized on both sides.

We specifically highlighted the importance of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission and the need for regular meetings, the development of mutually beneficial trade and economic relations as the best way to boosting bilateral trade turnover.

Reference was also made to Iran-EEU cooperation. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, I expressed readiness to support the dialogue between Iran and the EEU in the context of the upcoming free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union.

In closing, I wish to note that the talks went off in a warm and constructive atmosphere, typical of friendly countries. Thank you.

IRI First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri - I am happy to note that relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are on the upgrade. The two government delegations discussed issues related to the development of relations in various spheres. Reciprocated visits are being paid, and there are no restrictions as to the development of bilateral.

The successful completion of 5 + 1 negotiations will provide favorable conditions for the development of economic relations between our two countries. The third Armenia-Iran high-voltage transmission line project, which had been facing specific difficulties for a while, restarted following the arrangements made during the Armenian Prime Minister’s latest visit to Iran and owing to our joint efforts. We are confident that we will be able to bring it to completion in a short period of time. I would like to thank the two countries’ energy ministers, as well as Mr. Chitchyan and Mr. Zakharyan, co-chairs of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission, for valuable efforts.

Following detailed discussions over road transport, railway and transportation issues, we are convinced that we will succeed in connecting the Persian Gulf with the Black Sea through regional cooperation. Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mr. Akhund accompanies me during this visit, and I hope that he will hold serious discussions with his Armenian counterpart.

Armenia's joining the Eurasian Economic Union may open up a new gateway of economic exchanges between our two countries in terms of economic development. Free economic zones will create more favorable conditions for the development of economic relations between the two countries. At the same time, we decided to take the necessary steps in order to apply the one-stop-shop principle in customs affairs, specifically to implement a similar mechanism at Nordus border checkpoint.

Tomorrow a business forum will be held in Yerevan, followed by another one in Tehran, which will help boost the two countries’ economic relations. This may also be important for the development of relations between the two nations.

Our delegation includes the Head of Iran’s tourism agency. He will hold meetings with his Armenian counterpart to discuss future cooperation in the field of culture and tourism. Thank you.