President Receives IRI Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan received Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Welcoming the guest, the President of Armenia spoke with satisfaction about the reciprocated high-level visits, stressing that they provide more opportunity to develop interstate relations on the basis of the centuries-old friendship between the two nations. President Sargsyan took the opportunity to reiterate his support and sympathy to the friendly people of Iran on the damage caused by the devastating earthquake, expressing confidence that Iran will be able to address the consequences with the shortest possible delay.

Serzh Sargsyan pointed out that over the past 25 years since the establishment of Armenia-Iran diplomatic relations, the two countries have built on the bonds of friendship based on mutual respect and understanding. The President expressed the hope that the relations will continue to develop in the same spirit in the future as well. The Head of State underscored that Armenia has always abided by a frank and open dialogue with neighboring Iran and is interested in friendly Iran’s development and the promotion of stability in the region.

Thankful for the reception, the IRI Foreign Minister conveyed warm greetings on behalf of President Hassan Rouhani. Mohammad Javad Zarif thanked Serzh Sargsyan for attending President Rouhani’s inauguration ceremony, as well as for sending a condolence message over the devastating earthquake in Iran.

The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized that the development of relations with neighboring nations is a foreign policy priority for his country, and Armenia has always been a very good neighbor for Iran. Mohammad Javad Zarif said while the Armenian-Iranian interstate relations are only 25 years old as strengthened by close political ties, the relationship between the two nations is deeply rooted in history. Minister Zarif emphasized that the Iranians have a distinguished feeling of respect for the Armenian people, including the Armenian community of Iran.

The interlocutors stressed the need for strengthening economic ties and developing cooperation in mutually beneficial fields. According to Foreign Minister Zarif, the Armenian-Iranian trade turnover still falls short of the ongoing high-level political dialogue. He advised that today’s talks with his Armenian counterpart were chiefly focused on the development of economic exchanges. The Foreign Minister noted that the Armenian-Iranian business forum held in Yerevan sought to expand and deepen economic relations.

President Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Zarif hailed the two countries’ collaboration within international organizations.