Armenian Foreign Minister In Iran

[Guest]

Armenian Foreign Minister In Iran

YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met on February 3 in Tehran with Iranian parliament speaker Hojatoleslam Mehdi Karroubi.

 

In the meeting, Karroubi pointed to the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and said, "The strengthening and expansion of relations with all countries, especially the neighboring states on the basis of mutual respect and safeguarding the national interests is the pillar of Iran's foreign policy, and the Majlis will always support it."

 

He stressed the effective role played by parliaments to strengthen relations between governments, calling for exchange of views and visits between the parliamentarians of Iran and Armenia.

 

Karroubi noted the existing potential for expansion of cooperation in political, economic and parliamentary fields and said the Majlis is fully ready to prepare the grounds for further cooperation.

 

Referring to President Khatami's initiative on "Dialogue Among Civilizations," Karroubi expressed hope that all discords between countries would be resolved through dialogue and understanding.

 

For his part, the Armenian foreign minister conveyed a congratulatory message from the president of his country's National Assembly to Karroubi on the 22nd anniversary of Islamic Revolution and thanked Iran for its moderate policy toward its neighboring countries.

 

Oskanian pointed to the high level of bilateral ties and said the recent meeting of the joint economic commission was an example of successful economic relations between Tehran and Yerevan and added Armenia is fully prepared to expand its economic, political, cultural and parliamentary relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

 

Earlier that day Oskanian discussed international and regional issues with his counterpart Kamal Kharrazi. Oskanian described Iran as a powerful country in the region, saying that Yerevan attached great importance to its relations with Tehran.

 

He called for the promotion of economic and commercial cooperation along with political ties.

 

He said the stability in Armenia is dependent on its economic conditions and added given Iran's high economic potentials, Yerevan is seeking assistance from Iran and calls for expansion of economic relations.