Iran, Armenia discuss issues of mutual interest

10 July 2008

Moscow-Deputy Foreign Minister Ali-Reza Sheikh-Attar met with Armenia's President Serzh Sargsian in Yerevan Thursday where he extended President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's invitation to his Armenian counterpart to visit Iran.

Accepting the invitation, the Armenian president expressed hope that he will soon visit Iran.

Reviewing the strategic agreements reached between the two countries during Ahmadinejad's visit to Armenia last summer, the two sides stressed the need for continuation of mutual cooperation.

Referring to the importance of Caucasus region, Sheikh-Attar stressed the need for bilateral security and political cooperation to establish peace and stability in the region and prevent foreigners from meddling in regional affairs.

The Armenian president, for his part, expressed the country's support for Iranian businessmen and investors.

Arriving in Yerevan on Tuesday, the Iranian deputy foreign minister held talks with Secretary of Armenian National Security Council Artur Baghdasarian on regional developments.

During his stay, he also met with the Armenian Minister of Energy Armen Movsisian, his Armenian counterpart Gegham Gharibjanian, Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian, the country's Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian as well as a number of Iranian businessmen residing in Armenia.