On November 1, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan paid a short working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Prime Minister was met by Iran's Vice President Masoud Mir Kazem at Tehran International Airport, the Press Office of the Armenian Prime Minister reported.

Then Prime Minister Pashinyan went to Saadabad Palace. Here, President of the Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi welcomed Prime Minister Pashinyan, and the official welcoming ceremony took place.

Before the start of the negotiations, Gnel Sanosyan, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia, and Majid Chegeni, the Deputy Minister of Oil of Iran and the Director of the National Gas Company, signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of natural gas.

Meeting between Pashinyan and Raisi

First, the meeting of the leaders of Armenia and Iran took place with a narrow and then with an expanded structure. The interlocutors discussed several agenda issues related to the development of Armenian-Iranian relations. In particular, the possibilities of expansion of trade and economic ties and continuous increase of trade turnover volumes were discussed. In particular, the need to increase these volumes to EUR 3 billion per year was emphasized. The parties also discussed issues related to cooperation in infrastructure development, energy, agriculture, construction, and other fields. The implementation of joint projects for the facilitation of cargo transportation and the need to complete the construction of the third power transmission line between Armenia and Iran were emphasized.

After the meeting, the leaders of Armenia and Iran made statements summarizing the results of the negotiations for media representatives.

Ebrahim Raisi noted, "During the previous months, we had a 43 percent increase in trade and economic relations with Armenia, but the goal-setting, the target is 3 billion dollars [EUR 3 billion]. Achieving this goal will come true. Good relations between the two countries will surely strengthen relations and security in the region."

"The Caucasus region is a part of Iran's historical, cultural and civilizational past, and we are very sensitive to that region. Establishing regional security and peace is very important for the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the negotiations with Mr. Pashinyan, we concluded that the issues and problems of the region must be solved through the representatives of the region's countries. The presence of foreign powers not only does not solve any problems but adds to them," he stated.

In turn, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said: "I also highly appreciated the attitude and policy of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the opportunities created for the Armenian community of Iran. I must emphasize that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia are very bright and bright examples of cooperation and friendship between Islamic and Christian civilizations."

"We have also discussed issues related to the regional agenda. In this direction, the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran see a very large field of cooperation. We appreciate Iran's principled positions in ensuring regional security and stability. I told Mr. Raisi about the results of the tripartite meeting that took place in Sochi yesterday and shared my impressions about the agenda and current processes for establishing stability and peace in the region," he added.

"We consider it important that our Iranian partners are informed about what is happening in the context of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, in the context of Armenia-Turkey relations, and in the context of the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue," Pashinyan stated.

"Mr. President, I will be happy to host you in the Republic of Armenia at a convenient time for you to continue this conversation. I would like to thank you for supporting the positive developments in our relations, the latest manifestation of which was the opening of the Iranian Consulate General in Kapan, the regional center of Syunik," he concluded.

Read also:

Aliyev's Message to Iran: "Security, Rights and Well-being of Azerbaijanis Living Outside Republic is Important to Us"

Iranian Foreign Minister Visits Armenia and Opens Consulate in Kapan

Robert Kocharyan on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, Recent Escalation along Border, Relations with Russia, Iran, and Turkey's Role in Region

Feminist Activists Hold Demonstration in Front of Iranian Embassy in Baku