Updates
Press releases
23
12, 2011
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran arrived to Armenia on official visit
Today, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived to Armenia on official visit.
After the official ceremony of welcoming the President of Iran at the Presidential Palace, Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Mahmoud Admadinejad held a private meeting, which was followed by the negotiations of the delegations of Armenia and Iran in the extended format.
Later, there took place the ceremony of signing documents related to the bilateral cooperation in different areas.
***
Remarks of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the negotiations in the extended format with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Distinguished President of the Republic of Iran,
Honorable Colleagues,
I would like to once again cordially welcome You and Your delegation to the Republic of Armenia. I am confident that this visit will further enhance friendly relations between our two countries. The new phase of the Armenian-Iranian friendship commenced from day one of Armenia’s independence. It means that this year we are celebrating not only the 20th anniversary of the Republic’s independence but also the 20th anniversary of our modern time friendship. I would like to note with satisfaction that during these years we have successfully implemented a number of significant programs and have preset new ones.
I am glad that during our private meeting with the President, we have reached very important conclusions. It will help considerably to further our relations. I am confident that sincere Armenian-Iranian relations are the foundation of our relations and this very visit is aimed at deepening our relations based on that friendship. I would like to once again stress the fact that our political dialogue is going on efficiently at every level, it also has a very good economic base and despite the international problems in the global economy, our economic relations continue to develop.
We noted with Mr. President that it is good that our turnover is increasing and that today our relations are on the highest level in their history, however the general physical volumes are still not sufficient. Mr. President was right to note that 300 million USD is a small volume for two friendly, neighborly peoples who live side by side. The important thing is that we see potential, we see opportunities. As President Ahmadinejad has said, we can in a short period of time double, or triple that number. Particularly, because I as have already said, we have reached agreements on a number of issues in a very warm and constructive atmosphere and if we accelerate the construction of the third electric power transmission line, stimulate our market of oil products, then we really can increase volumes and add in certain dynamism. I am confident that some time later we will be able to talk about achievements in that area, we will be able to note that barriers existing today in the area of trade have been eliminated. Together with Mr. President we have discussed other issues as well. The important thing is that the atmosphere has been truly constructive and we understand each other perfectly.
Mr. President, once again You and Your delegation are welcome to Armenia. We are always happy to meet with our friends – in Yerevan or in Tehran.
***
Remarks by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the meeting with the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan with the participation of the delegations
I am very glad to be here, in Armenia on the eve of the New Year and Holy Christmas, and I have come to meet with my friends. On that occasion, I convey my sincere congratulations to the Government and people of Armenia. I hope that the coming year will be a year of advancement in every area and a plentiful year for all countries and peoples, including Armenia.
As you have already said, relations between our two countries are on a very good level. We have always had good relations throughout our history, and we maintain them today. Especially, after Armenia became independent these relations have been expanding by day and today they continue to expand. Along with our good-neighborly relations, which is a very important factor, we are bearers of the same culture. Justice, humanism and friendship are the values which two friendly nations share. Traditions and customs of the two peoples in their turn show mutual closeness. We, our two countries, want to deepen our friendship and are concerned with the alien penetration into the region. Fortunately, today we witness the expansion of our relations. There is no negative factor or obstacle for the development of our relations.
We have had very good discussion with Mr. President. I said that nobody in the world can change the map of Armenia and Iran. We are neighbors and friends and will live side by side and move forward. There are no limitations for the development of our relations. We have had very good discussion regarding different projects – Arax hydropower station, exchange of electric power. We have also explored opportunities for the development of trade and economic relations, to set base and coordinate all customs and other auxiliary works aimed at boosting the turnover. We have also spoken about some regional issues. Fortunately, on the regional issues our positions are very close and similar. We have reached agreement that those officials responsible for the implementation of the programs meet as soon as possible.
Mr. President, I thank you for the genial and warm reception.
***
The President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Admadinejad adopted a Joint Declaration on the results of the visit.
Joint Declaration
At invitation of the President of the Republic of Armenia His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan, on December 23, 2011, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran His Excellency Mahmoud Admadinejad, accompanied by a high level delegation, conducted a one day visit to Armenia.
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met and conducted negotiations with the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. In the framework of the visit, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran met also with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Samvel Nikoyan and Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarkissian.
Negotiations between two leaders were conducted in the atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding. The Presidents discussed a wide range of issues pertinent to the cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran in different areas, current stage and prospects of cooperation, presented viewpoints of the two states regarding regional and international problems.
Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed satisfaction with the high level relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which are based on the centuries-long friendship of the two nations, reiterated their determination to further develop bilateral friendly and mutually beneficial relations.
The Presidents of the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran underscored the significance of the activities of the intergovernmental commission and stressed the importance of pursuing implementation of the agreements reached during the tenth session of the intergovernmental commission that took place on May 29-30, 2011 in Tehran, as well as other documents signed by the two countries.
The Presidents stressed the importance of the implementation of the noted agreements for the increase of the turnover between the two states and development of infrastructure and for the elevation of the cooperation level in the economic, energy, transport, communication, industry and investment areas.
In the framework of the visit the following documents were signed:
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the development assistance to be provided by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia;
Protocol on the Amendments to the March 19, 2007 Agreement signed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the construction and operation of hydropower stations on Arax river;
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on cooperation in the area of labor and social issues;
Plan of Action signed by the RA Ministry of Nature Protection and the IRI Nature Protection Organization on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation in the area of nature protection for 2012-2013;
Memorandum of Understanding between the RA National Institute of Standards and the IRI Institute of Standards and Industrial Research;
Memorandum of Understanding on the Construction-Management-Operation-Transfer (CMOT) based concession agreement for the construction of the Meghri hydropower station.
The Presidents of the two states expressed satisfaction with the expanding cooperation in energy sphere. Welcoming the launch of the program for the construction of the third power transmission line, they stressed the importance of concluding it in the shortest possible time.
The Presidents stressed the importance of the implementation of the strategic projects pertinent to the construction of hydropower stations on Arax river, railroad, which will connect railroad systems of the two countries, and construction of the Iran-Armenia oil pipeline. The relevant Ministries have been assigned with the task in the next six months to make every effort to move these projects into practical phase.
Presidents Sargsyan and Ahmadinejad stressed also the importance of creating favorable conditions for the economic and investment activities of the business communities of the Republic of Armenia and Islamic Republic of Iran.
Presidents of Armenia and Iran underscored the import of establishing and reinforcing in the region enduring peace, stability and security, highlighting the importance of deepening multilateral regional cooperation and of the efforts aimed at the resolution of the existing conflicts.
With regard to the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Presidents of the two countries underlined the necessity of solving it peacefully, based on the fundamental norms and principles of international law.
Presidents of Armenia and Iran, underscoring the necessity of maintaining bilateral consultations regarding pivotal regional and international issues, underscored the importance of reinforcing global peace and security.
Speaking about recent events in the Middle East and North Africa, the Presidents of Armenia and Iran underscored the necessity of establishing stability, security and peace in the region and of the necessity to ensure legal basic rights of the peoples based on national accord.
The Presidents of Armenia and Iran also stressed the importance of non-proliferation, expressing their commitment to the Agreement on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. They emphasized the right of all nations, including Armenia and Iran, to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The two Presidents underscored the importance of solving Iran’s nuclear issue through negotiations and diplomatic means.
On the issues related to international terrorism and organized crime, the Presidents of the two states expressed readiness to cooperate in bilateral and multilateral formats in fight against these threats.
This Declaration was made on December 23, 2011, in Yerevan, in the Armenian and Persian languages.
After the official ceremony of welcoming the President of Iran at the Presidential Palace, Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Mahmoud Admadinejad held a private meeting, which was followed by the negotiations of the delegations of Armenia and Iran in the extended format.
Later, there took place the ceremony of signing documents related to the bilateral cooperation in different areas.
***
Remarks of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the negotiations in the extended format with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Distinguished President of the Republic of Iran,
Honorable Colleagues,
I would like to once again cordially welcome You and Your delegation to the Republic of Armenia. I am confident that this visit will further enhance friendly relations between our two countries. The new phase of the Armenian-Iranian friendship commenced from day one of Armenia’s independence. It means that this year we are celebrating not only the 20th anniversary of the Republic’s independence but also the 20th anniversary of our modern time friendship. I would like to note with satisfaction that during these years we have successfully implemented a number of significant programs and have preset new ones.
I am glad that during our private meeting with the President, we have reached very important conclusions. It will help considerably to further our relations. I am confident that sincere Armenian-Iranian relations are the foundation of our relations and this very visit is aimed at deepening our relations based on that friendship. I would like to once again stress the fact that our political dialogue is going on efficiently at every level, it also has a very good economic base and despite the international problems in the global economy, our economic relations continue to develop.
We noted with Mr. President that it is good that our turnover is increasing and that today our relations are on the highest level in their history, however the general physical volumes are still not sufficient. Mr. President was right to note that 300 million USD is a small volume for two friendly, neighborly peoples who live side by side. The important thing is that we see potential, we see opportunities. As President Ahmadinejad has said, we can in a short period of time double, or triple that number. Particularly, because I as have already said, we have reached agreements on a number of issues in a very warm and constructive atmosphere and if we accelerate the construction of the third electric power transmission line, stimulate our market of oil products, then we really can increase volumes and add in certain dynamism. I am confident that some time later we will be able to talk about achievements in that area, we will be able to note that barriers existing today in the area of trade have been eliminated. Together with Mr. President we have discussed other issues as well. The important thing is that the atmosphere has been truly constructive and we understand each other perfectly.
Mr. President, once again You and Your delegation are welcome to Armenia. We are always happy to meet with our friends – in Yerevan or in Tehran.
***
Remarks by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the meeting with the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan with the participation of the delegations
I am very glad to be here, in Armenia on the eve of the New Year and Holy Christmas, and I have come to meet with my friends. On that occasion, I convey my sincere congratulations to the Government and people of Armenia. I hope that the coming year will be a year of advancement in every area and a plentiful year for all countries and peoples, including Armenia.
As you have already said, relations between our two countries are on a very good level. We have always had good relations throughout our history, and we maintain them today. Especially, after Armenia became independent these relations have been expanding by day and today they continue to expand. Along with our good-neighborly relations, which is a very important factor, we are bearers of the same culture. Justice, humanism and friendship are the values which two friendly nations share. Traditions and customs of the two peoples in their turn show mutual closeness. We, our two countries, want to deepen our friendship and are concerned with the alien penetration into the region. Fortunately, today we witness the expansion of our relations. There is no negative factor or obstacle for the development of our relations.
We have had very good discussion with Mr. President. I said that nobody in the world can change the map of Armenia and Iran. We are neighbors and friends and will live side by side and move forward. There are no limitations for the development of our relations. We have had very good discussion regarding different projects – Arax hydropower station, exchange of electric power. We have also explored opportunities for the development of trade and economic relations, to set base and coordinate all customs and other auxiliary works aimed at boosting the turnover. We have also spoken about some regional issues. Fortunately, on the regional issues our positions are very close and similar. We have reached agreement that those officials responsible for the implementation of the programs meet as soon as possible.
Mr. President, I thank you for the genial and warm reception.
***
The President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Admadinejad adopted a Joint Declaration on the results of the visit.
Joint Declaration
At invitation of the President of the Republic of Armenia His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan, on December 23, 2011, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran His Excellency Mahmoud Admadinejad, accompanied by a high level delegation, conducted a one day visit to Armenia.
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met and conducted negotiations with the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. In the framework of the visit, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran met also with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Samvel Nikoyan and Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarkissian.
Negotiations between two leaders were conducted in the atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding. The Presidents discussed a wide range of issues pertinent to the cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran in different areas, current stage and prospects of cooperation, presented viewpoints of the two states regarding regional and international problems.
Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed satisfaction with the high level relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which are based on the centuries-long friendship of the two nations, reiterated their determination to further develop bilateral friendly and mutually beneficial relations.
The Presidents of the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran underscored the significance of the activities of the intergovernmental commission and stressed the importance of pursuing implementation of the agreements reached during the tenth session of the intergovernmental commission that took place on May 29-30, 2011 in Tehran, as well as other documents signed by the two countries.
The Presidents stressed the importance of the implementation of the noted agreements for the increase of the turnover between the two states and development of infrastructure and for the elevation of the cooperation level in the economic, energy, transport, communication, industry and investment areas.
In the framework of the visit the following documents were signed:
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the development assistance to be provided by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia;
Protocol on the Amendments to the March 19, 2007 Agreement signed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the construction and operation of hydropower stations on Arax river;
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on cooperation in the area of labor and social issues;
Plan of Action signed by the RA Ministry of Nature Protection and the IRI Nature Protection Organization on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation in the area of nature protection for 2012-2013;
Memorandum of Understanding between the RA National Institute of Standards and the IRI Institute of Standards and Industrial Research;
Memorandum of Understanding on the Construction-Management-Operation-Transfer (CMOT) based concession agreement for the construction of the Meghri hydropower station.
The Presidents of the two states expressed satisfaction with the expanding cooperation in energy sphere. Welcoming the launch of the program for the construction of the third power transmission line, they stressed the importance of concluding it in the shortest possible time.
The Presidents stressed the importance of the implementation of the strategic projects pertinent to the construction of hydropower stations on Arax river, railroad, which will connect railroad systems of the two countries, and construction of the Iran-Armenia oil pipeline. The relevant Ministries have been assigned with the task in the next six months to make every effort to move these projects into practical phase.
Presidents Sargsyan and Ahmadinejad stressed also the importance of creating favorable conditions for the economic and investment activities of the business communities of the Republic of Armenia and Islamic Republic of Iran.
Presidents of Armenia and Iran underscored the import of establishing and reinforcing in the region enduring peace, stability and security, highlighting the importance of deepening multilateral regional cooperation and of the efforts aimed at the resolution of the existing conflicts.
With regard to the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Presidents of the two countries underlined the necessity of solving it peacefully, based on the fundamental norms and principles of international law.
Presidents of Armenia and Iran, underscoring the necessity of maintaining bilateral consultations regarding pivotal regional and international issues, underscored the importance of reinforcing global peace and security.
Speaking about recent events in the Middle East and North Africa, the Presidents of Armenia and Iran underscored the necessity of establishing stability, security and peace in the region and of the necessity to ensure legal basic rights of the peoples based on national accord.
The Presidents of Armenia and Iran also stressed the importance of non-proliferation, expressing their commitment to the Agreement on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. They emphasized the right of all nations, including Armenia and Iran, to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The two Presidents underscored the importance of solving Iran’s nuclear issue through negotiations and diplomatic means.
On the issues related to international terrorism and organized crime, the Presidents of the two states expressed readiness to cooperate in bilateral and multilateral formats in fight against these threats.
This Declaration was made on December 23, 2011, in Yerevan, in the Armenian and Persian languages.