Yesterday the delegation spearheaded by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Armenia.
At President Kocharyan’s Office the Iranian delegation held a meeting with the Armenian delegation, during which they signed a number of agreements regarding banking system, energy sector cooperation, documents about building HES at the bank of Arax River as well as a memorandum of cooperation. Afterward President Kocharyan and Ahmadinejad held a press conference. As it’s known President Kocharyan doesn’t meet journalists very often and whenever he needs to say something he invites representatives from famous TV channels to his Office to interview him. But as during yesterday not only “free but responsible” TV cannel journalists were invited there was hope that journalists from TV companies would also have an opportunity to ask questions. Unfortunately, these hopes didn’t come true because after the opening speeches of the two presidents the Spokesperson of the Armenian President Victor Soghomonyan informed that the Armenian and Iranian journalists that they are enabled to ask only one question. Perhaps it’s understandable, who deserved this honor from the Armenian side. According to the Armenian president, the second meeting of the two presidents during this year witnesses about the level of relations between the two countries. Ahmadinejad also emphasized the fact that he and his Armenian counterpart are meeting for the third time in the last year. After mentioning the number of the meetings in his speech President Kocharyan noted that Iran is a very important partner for Armenia and that the level of relations between the two countries is on high level. He also said that his meetings with the Iranian delegation proceeded in a very friendly and warm environment. He particularly pointed out the programs carried out in the energy sphere: the construction of gas pipe line continues, the sides reconfirm the possibility of construction of oil pipe line and railway. According to the president, these projects are in the round of calculation as from the economic point of view they must be beneficial for the sides and they are treating them seriously. “We reconfirmed the positive attitude towards the implementation of joint big programs,” Kocharyan said. According to him he has informed the president of Iran about the recent negotiations around Karabagh conflict resolution. The Iranian President spoke with standard formulations. He has mentioned that the two countries have great opportunities to develop bilateral relations. “There are big opportunities for developing relations in all the spheres. There is no limitation for the development of relations. The development of relations between Armenia and Iran are for the sake of the two peoples and regional security. They are friendly, based on mutual respect,” Ahmadinejad said. According to Ahmadinejad, the relations between the two countries, after Armenia’s independence are developing strongly and stably. Armenian and Iranian peoples have deep historic-cultural ties. The Iranian president said that the core of all discussed issues is the development of bilateral relations, usage of economic opportunities and encouraging mutual investments. Of course only Haylur TV Channel had the opportunity to ask a question. The journalist asked to give details on what issues were discussed during the bilateral meetings. “An agreement has been achieved to have more active contacts in the sphere of foreign relations. Cooperation in the banking sphere will expand more. On October 26 he will participate in the opening of Armenian sector of the new Iran-Armenia transit road. According to him, the road will promote the increase of the volume of trade turnover,” responded Kocharyan. According to him Armenia is seriously inclined to connect the Armenian and Iranian railways, implement a three-side project (Armenia, Iran and Russia) on building an oil refinery. “Of course, we should calculate everything here. The projects are really great and require discussions and thorough calculations. Now we are at this stage,” said Kocharyan. The President of Iran said that he has nothing to add and that the Armenian President has said it all.