The 12th Session of the Armenian - Iranian Intergovernmental Committee has Began in Tehran

On December 15-16, the 12th Session of the Armenian-Iranian Intergovernmental Committee will be held in Tehran, for participation of which the Armenian delegation headed by co-chairman of the Armenian side of the Committee, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan left for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Armenian delegation also includes the officials and the specialists representing different sectors of the economy.

The 12th Session of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental Committee was opened by the co-chairman of the Armenian side, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan and by the co-chairman of the Iranian side, Energy Minister of Iran Islamic Republic Hamid Chitchian.

The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan welcoming the participants, said:

-Our friendly relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran cover wide range of spheres and have great potential of development. Each of us has his own tasks and responsibility regarding to development of these relations, as well as to drawing up the new projects and plans.

Our Presidents have repeatedly pointed out, that the economic relations between Armenia and Iran have not been matched to bilateral political relations yet, which are at a high level.

Only a small fraction of the potential of bilateral economic relations is used, and as a result of the effective work, we can raise the level of the relationship several times, said Yervand Zakharyan.

In his words, there is a necessary legal-contractual basis for the development of the relations in various economic sectors.

Today we must pay attention to the implementation of the most important bilateral economic projects, particularly the Iran-Armenia 3-third power line, Iran-Armenia railway, Meghri HPP and other major projects.

I think, that the cooperation between the institutions and commercial establishments representing the private sector, as well as the encouragement of joint investments has a significant role in the expansion of our bilateral economic relations, said Yervand Zakharyan.

- The current high level of Armenian-Iranian relations, which is based on the traditions of mutual confidence and good neighborliness is the key to the deepening of the mutually beneficial cooperation, established between our two countries, and I am confident, that we will be able to give a stimulus to implementation of joint projects by joint efforts, assured the co-chairman of the Armenian-Iranian Intergovernmental Committee Yervand Zakharyan.

During the 12th session of the Armenian-Iranian Intergovernmental Committee will be discussed the economic issues of mutual interest.

During the two days, the working groups will sum up the results of the works done and the future plans in energy, transport, industry, agriculture, trade, health, culture, tourism and other sectors.

At the end of the session will be signed "The Memorandum of Understanding of the 12th Session of Armenian-Iranian Intergovernmental Committee".

Note also, that the Armenian-Iranian Intergovernmental Committee was formed in 1992, simultaneously with the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.