Iran`s Foreign Minister: I hope we will be able to step up the  economic activity in Syunik region in the near future

ArmInfo.Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is in Armenia on a working visit. The press service of the RA acting PM reports.

Welcoming the Iranian Foreign Minister to Yerevan, Nikol Pashinyan  said: "Our good-neighborly relations with Iran are of strategic  importance. The common border with Iran has ensured the security of  our country in a number of ways ever since the first years of  Armenia's independence. It is my pleasure to note that there is a  similar perception in Iran about our relationship.

Our economic ties have developed over several decades, especially in  Syunik region; there has always been a great interest in implementing  joint projects. We have set up a free economic zone in Meghri with a  view to deepening economic exchanges with friendly Iran.

A number of adverse factors, including COVID-19, prevented this free  economic zone from gaining enough momentum, but we are convinced that  it can become a strong fulcrum for our two countries' economic  development. We are indeed interested in it, and we have already  discussed the possibility of deepening our high-level political  dialogue. We are similarly holding discussions in the security  sphere: there are specific issues high on the bilateral agenda.  Armenia-Iran dialogue is of strategic importance, and therefore, we  must make efforts to succeed.

You may be aware that some tensions have recently emerged on the  border with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani armed forces crossed into  Armenia's sovereign territory in several sections. Our position is  unequivocal: all units of Azerbaijan's Armed Forces must leave our  territory. And we are making political-diplomatic efforts to this  end, first of all, because our partners in the Collective Security  Treaty Organization have been urging us from the very first days to  try to settle the matter through diplomatic-political means.

You are aware that according to the Collective Security Treaty,  aggression against our country implies that other CSTO- member  nations should get involved in hostilities. Of course, it is our wish  that the issue be resolved through diplomatic and political means.  Unfortunately, we had a victim yesterday. A serviceman of the  Armenian Armed Forces was killed with a gunshot fired by  representatives of Azerbaijan's Armed Forces. So, the situation is  quite tense; this meeting is a good opportunity to learn Iran's views  on ways of addressing the crisis."

Iran's Foreign Minister stated, in turn: "Esteemed Prime Minister,  let me thank you for providing this opportunity to my colleagues. And  let me convey to you warm greetings on behalf of President Rouhani  and Mr. Jahangiri. Armenia has always been our good friend; our  relations are deeply rooted in centuries. Iran and Armenia are  cooperating in several areas as vividly evidenced by the latest visit  of the Iranian Minister of Urban Development and Roads, which proved  quite successful. And I hope that after the end of this pandemic we  will be able to further develop bilateral relations in the economic  sphere.

The operations of the Meghri free economic zone, as well as the  Iran-Nakhichevan-Armenia railway can be very effective for both  countries. A good agreement has been reached. And I hope we will be  able to step up the economic activity in Syunik region in the near  future. This is the importance we give to bilateral relations.

I have had a very strategic dialogue with our Armenian partners; our  representative, our negotiator will arrive in Armenia at the first  opportunity as a follow-up to the ongoing dialogue. There are many  important issues, both bilateral and regional, that need to be  addressed. We want peace in this region. And we have always  highlighted the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and  the peaceful resolution of crises. The Islamic Republic of Iran  prioritizes respect for international law.

In order to resolve the recent escalation, three visits were paid  from our country to Armenia. I was the first to pay a visit, then our  special envoy came to Armenia, and now I am visiting Armenia again. I  am sorry that you have been a victim of this new escalation.  Yesterday I had a very detailed and meaningful conversation with the  President of Azerbaijan. I hope that today's meeting, like the one I  had with my esteemed colleague, will help resolve the crisis. Thank  you again." The interlocutors went on to discuss the steps aimed at  resolving the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The  Iranian Foreign Minister assured of his country's keen interest in  reinstating regional stability, preserving and ensuring Armenia's  territorial integrity.

Nikol Pashinyan and Mohammad Javad Zarif touched upon a number of  issues related to the further development of cooperation between the  two countries in the field of economy. Continued interaction in the  frame of the gas / electricity swap program was discussed during the  meeting. In particular, the parties considered it necessary to extend  the term of the program, step up the volume of gas and electricity  exchanged, implement joint infrastructure projects and expand  relations in the fields of education and culture.

The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the Minister  of Foreign Affairs of Iran exchanged views on the joint efforts aimed  at addressing the current situation and achieving stability and  lasting peace in the region.