On September 11, Mr. Tigran Torosyan, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia had a private talk with Mr. Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, the President of Majlis (Parliament) of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who arrived in Armenia with an official visit. The meeting was attended by the ambassadors of two countries, Mr. Arman Kirakosyan, Deputy Foreign Minister, as well as other officials.

Welcoming his partner, the President of the National Assembly expressed his satisfaction that after the independence of Armenia it is the first time that the President of the Majlis of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) visits Armenia: also he expressed his surprise that during the past 15 years it is the first time that the Parliament President of the friendly and neighbouring country visits Armenia: Both sides explained that fact with the existence of really friendly relations, during which political, economic, cultural problems have not occurred. Touching upon the past 15 years, Mr. Torosyan noted that the centuries-long neighbour has been the most effective partner, especially during the hard and difficult years for Armenia, when the country appeared in the blockade. In connection with bilateral relations the Parliament President highlighted the energy cooperation, emphasizing the projects of the main pipeline and hydroelectric station that are under construction on the river Araks, and the third line of high voltage electric communication. The President of the National Assembly expressed his gratitude to the President of IRI Majlis for kind attitude towards the Armenian Iranians. Touching upon the developments around the Iranian nuclear programme, Mr. Torosyan expressed a hope that the further problems will be solved through negotiations.

Mr. Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel assessed the inter-state relations an exemplary one saying that after the visits of the Presidents of two countries they entered into new stage of development. He noted that the Armenians in Iran are permanently treated with respect and the proof is the presence of two MPs in Majlis. Mr. Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel considered necessary to deepen and develop the inter-parliamentary relations, as it is an important and inseparable component in inter-state relations.

After the private talk a meeting of the delegation headed by Mr. Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, the President of IRI Majlis and Mr. Torosyan, the President of the National Assembly, Vahan Hovhannisyan, NA Vice President, representatives of Standing Committees, factions and groups was held, which was attended by the ambassadors of two countries and other officials.

Highlighting the visit of the President of IRI Majlis to Armenia, Mr. Torosyan noted that during the last years the inter-state relations have been activated, to which the mutual visits contribute, and expressed confidence that the visit is a basis for deepening inter-parliamentary relations. The Parliament President highlighted the balanced and restrained stance in Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Mr. Torosyan touched upon also the assiduous attitude towards the monuments of Armenian culture in IRI, in contrast with the other neighbour, which simply annihilates those monuments.

Mr. Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel highlighted the friendly relations of two states in the regional aspect, noting that though the two countries have religious difference, but there are numerous similarities. During the last thirty years for his country assessing the Islamic revolution of Iran and the collapse of the USSR the most important event in the region, as a result of which, new states were formed near the northern borders of Iran, the Majlis President noted that the foreign policy of his country relies on Islam, which does not allow to form the foreign policy for the sake of a group by contradicting with another one. He highlighted the strengthening of relations with Armenia, the cooperation in the sphere of energy and noted that his country is for the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh problem and continuation of the negotiations of the Presidents of two countries.

During the meeting other issues were also discussed.

The members of the delegation headed by Mr. Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, the President of Majlis of the Islamic Republic of Iran met with Armenia-Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group in the parliament.

Welcoming the guests, Galust Sahakyan, Head of Armenia-Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group, noted that the political and economic ties between the two countries get strengthened, the inter-parliamentary friendship deepens, and the Armenian-Iranian friendly relations will get a new impetus with this visit and will obtain new level. It was noted that the year 2006 is a fruitful year in the aspect of cooperation between the parliaments of two countries: recently the Armenian parliamentarians have been to Iran with a working visit, important meetings were held, as a result of which the inter-parliamentary relations have been more deepened and strengthened. It was emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran pursues balanced policy in the region, has always been a good neighbor for Armenia and today all possibilities of deepening the relationship in political, economic and scientific-cultural spheres are available.

Gevorg Vardan, Co-Chair of Iran-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, highlighted the deepening of partnership of two countries and parliaments, noting that the inter-parliamentary ties have reached the level of economic relations. It was noted that from now on RA-IRI friendly relations will deepen and promote the welfare of of two countries and people. It was noted that pursuing balanced policy, Iran is for peace and stability in the world and region.

The perspectives of the development of the Armenian-Iranian parliamentary relations, which will promote the deepening of inter-state relations were discussed during the meeting.