Iran-Armenia FMs Call For Enhanced Cooperation

Tehran, Nov 9, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian on Tuesday called for epansion of mutual cooperation in political, trade and parliamentary fields. Salehi is on a two-day visit to Armenia on his way back home after participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Iran has an observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The two foreign ministers reviewed the last developments in the two countries mutual ties and other regional and international issues. Salehi said that Iran and Armenia enjoy longstanding historical relations, calling for boosting and expanding mutual relations in politics, economy and culture. Nalbandian described the decision made in his visit with Salehi as fruitful and said President Ahmadinejad’s next visit to Armenia will be a turning point in expansion of the high profile relations between the two countries. He said the visit will also pave the way to the parliamentary and ministerial relations of the two countries. Pointing to a 30 percent growth in the two countries’ trade, the Armenian foreign minister called for further expansion of trade relations./end