Armenia, Iran underline growing regional stability, security

Tehran, Jan 31, IRNA – Defense Ministers of Armenia and Iran discussed issues of mutual interest in Tehran on Tuesday and underlined expansion of peace, stability and sustainable security in the region. Vigen Sargsyan arrived in Tehran on Monday evening at the head of a high- ranking delegation for an official visit at the invitation of Iran’s Defense Minister General Hossein Dehqan. In the meeting, General Dehqan said regional problems could be solved merely through dialogue and negotiation. Dehqan added that using force to settle problems is not acceptable. Dehqan pointed out that continued and decisive campaign against terrorism and elements to create instability and insecurity in the region is the principled policy of Iran. Recent moves of the Zionist regime in expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories and violation of the international laws and regulations are among moves that turn the region insecure, which should be confronted by all means. Considering growing cooperation between Iran and Armenia in all fields, Dehqan underlined Iran’s readiness to further expand ties. Vigen Sargsyan, referring to Iran’s excellent position and importance in the region and the world, expressed his country’s interest to expand cooperation and promote level of relations with Iran. He added that also the two nations have interests for good relations. Sargsyan said Armenia wants strengthening and expanding defensive cooperation with Iran and 'we believe the visit will pave ways for such a cooperation.' ‘We oppose any kind of tension in the region and among neighbors and we appreciate Iran’s efforts to check tensions and crises in the region’, he said. Sargsyan welcomed Iran’s efforts to settle Karabakh problem and said Armenia believes the problem has no military solution. He underlined that Armenia completely agrees with Iran’s stances in campaign against terrorism and is ready to cooperate in that concern. 1378/IRNA