FM Zarif in Yerevan

Iran, Armenia Stress Willingness to Strengthen Ties

Date: 27 January 2021 - 21:33

News ID: ۸۷۰۱۱

YEREVAN (Dispatches) -- Armenia values the high level of political dialogue with Iran, close trade and economic ties, and cooperation in spheres of mutual interest, Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian said at a meeting with visiting Foreign Minister of Iran Muhammad Javad Zarif here Wednesday.
He said the Armenian-Iranian agenda is quite comprehensive, based on the centuries-old friendship uniting the two peoples.
"This friendship is the best example of intercultural dialogue, an example of different religions and civilizations living side by side, based on mutual trust and respect. That is the key for achieving peace and stability in the region,” Aivazian said.
"I am confident that through joint efforts we will further strengthen and develop our mutually beneficial cooperation,” he added.
Aivazian said Iran is the fourth trade partner of Armenia, adding the promotion of trade and economic cooperation has a special place on bilateral agenda.
He said one of the main subjects of his talks was regional security and stability.
"Iran is an important country in the region, and we respect Iran’s approach of building relations with its immediate neighbors. However, we would like to once again emphasize that only lasting peace that addresses the interests of all, that doesn’t have winners and losers and so-called victories or defeats, can create real guarantees for the advancement of security, stability and development in the region,” the Armenian foreign minister stated.
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Zarif said Iran attaches great importance to the friendly relations with Armenia.
"Iran and Armenia, as two ancient civilizations, have always had good relations based on friendship and neighborliness. As two ancient civilizations, we have had many ups and downs, but we have always come out of them with honor. Our history is much longer than days, months, years, even centuries, we have stood and existed throughout that history, we have always been friends. Our borders have always been the borders of friendship, cooperation, and we are sure that they will continue to be so,” Zarif said.
Touching upon the issues on bilateral agenda, the Iranian minister expressed satisfaction with the high dynamics of the existing political dialogue, emphasizing the importance of further intensification of contacts and mutual visits at different levels.
Both sides expressed readiness to make joint efforts to further strengthen and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of reciprocal interest.
They also stressed the importance of the full utilization of the existing potential in the Armenian-Iranian trade and economic relations and the activity of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental joint commission.