The President gave a start to a series of meetings with the partner states on the prospects of boosting economic ties and development programs

Today, at the Presidential Palace Serzh Sargsyan gave a start to a series of meetings with the Ambassadors and Heads of Missions of the Republic of Armenia abroad. In addition to the issues present on the agenda of bilateral relations, at the meetings discussed will be new opportunities for advancing Armenia’s economic interests, possibilities of implementing with the host countries of new projects, investment programs, issues related to the increase of the turnover as well as prospects of developing cooperation in the areas of education, health care and culture. Today’s meeting was dedicated to Armenia’s relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the ongoing programs, new initiatives as well as the process of implementation of the concrete assignments which was presented by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia in the Islamic Republic of Iran Artashes Tumanian. Present at the meeting were the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian, Chairman of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Ervand Zakarian, Minister of Economy Karen Chshmaritian, Minister of Transport and Communications Gagik Beglarian, high level officials of the Presidential Administration.

“Esteem Colleagues, as you know, I regularly meet on the issues related to foreign affairs with the senior officials and it is quite natural that in the process I am holding separate meetings with our Ambassadors in foreign countries and Heads of missions in international organizations. Today our meeting has a slightly different format: It will become a permanent working format and is aimed at increasing the accountability of our Ambassadors. Second, which is not less important, we will discuss issues raised by the Ambassadors, problems which get in the way of making our relations more efficient. Mr. Tumanian, today we will start with you and would like you to report in detail on the state of our relations with the friendly Islamic Republic of Iran and on the future of these relations, focusing primarily on their economic component. I would ask you to inform us on the following issues: first, obviously after removing sanctions or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran there emerge great opportunities and new programs may appear in different areas. I would like to understand what kind of opportunities the Republic of Armenia may have in becoming a transit state between the seaports of the Persian Gulf and Black Sea. Apparently, we know what we can do here and not only know but have also made very practical steps. From our not very ample resources we have already allocated hundreds of millions so that in the next 3-4 years we are able to construct the North-South Highway which will connect the northern border of Georgia with the southern border of Iran and the distance which our vehicles currently cover in nine and half hours will become two times shorter. We are taking steps to find the opportunity to also have a railroad connection with the Islamic Republic of Iran; however, I believe it’s not enough. I would like to know what the Iranian side thinks, what extra steps we can take so that, as I said, Armenia is viewed as a primary transit route, because I believe, a lot of people know that not only Iranian transport will be passing through the Armenian roads but it will also boost the development of the Armenian economy. The second issue I would like you to pay due attention to is our cooperation in the area of energy. Of course, cooperation in that area has started long ago, but now we’ve reached a milestone when it has become very concrete and very promising. On this too we know what to do. We know that we need to create additional infrastructure, additional generation capabilities. As you know, this work is already underway. I want to know if there are any obstacles. Just as planned, in two years we will have infrastructure with great network capacity. These programs will have a huge impact not only on our energy security but will also have a social connotation. Next issue I would like you to keep in the focus of your attention is the investment opportunities in Armenia, moreover so considering the fact that Armenia is the only member of the Eurasian Economic Union which has land border with Iran. On this too, we should be able to understand what are the expectations of the business circles of the Islamic Republic of Iran, what else we can do so that they are interested in investing in Armenia and to sell their production in Armenia, in the Eurasian Economic Union and also on the territory of EU because we have a very favorable trade regime. Another issue which is important for us is the unimpeded access of our goods and transport to Iran which is an 80 million strong, solvent market with great opportunities. It can be a very strong impetus not only for the Armenian entrepreneurs but also for foreign businessmen. Besides, western businessmen, who will be making investments in the Islamic Republic of Iran, have also opportunities to view Armenia as a platform for doing business with Iran. Consultations in this format are also important because we have already made a decision and soon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we will have a Deputy Minister who will be dealing particularly with the economic issues. I believe it is critical that people in that structure together with the staff of the Development Agency of the Ministry of Economy and other Ministries are able to coordinated and channel our efforts in that direction. Certainly, all interstate commissions will be engaged in the process and issues pertinent to the economic development will be discussed there,” President Serzh Sargsyan said at the beginning of the meeting.

Ambassador Artashes Tumanian first expressed gratitude for the possibility to discuss a pivotal issue of the Armenian foreign policy in this format and assured that the Embassy has been doing its best to push forward and solve the most important issues on the Armenian-Iranian agenda. “Esteemed Mr. President, in line with your assignment the major infrastructure projects have been receiving constant attention, and I am glad to report that some of them are already underway. Later, I will speak in detail about problems in some programs which I would like to raise in this format. However, I would like to mention some of them now. First, the significant infrastructure program which is of a structural importance for us, for the efficient and reliable functioning of the economy and energy system is the construction of the second high voltage line, the financing of which was provided through your efforts. The construction works are underway and will be concluded in 2018 according to the timetable - this very important news for us. The second is related to our transport corridor. It is of fundamental significance for us. When Minister of Transport Mr. Beglarian recently at the invitation of his colleague visited Iran, the mass media was officially informed that Iran is announcing state policy of Four Corridors. One of them is passing through the Republic of Armenia. It was an important announcement which is part of larger global geopolitical programs. I would also like to touch upon another issue which you, Mr. President, mentioned and which is one of your assignments. We build our work on the following principle: our region has gone through two crucial political events: international economic and financial sanctions against Iran have been lifted, and second, which is very important for us, our country has become a member of the Eurasian Union. This is a matter of essence for us in solving our economic problems,” said the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Islamic Republic of Iran Artashes Tumanian at the beginning of his report.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Serzh Sargsyan gave instructions to the participants and relevant agencies on the issues, problems, and programs discussed at the meeting