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On November 8 RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan received the delegation led by Ali Akbar Salehi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI). Galust Sahakyan, Head of the Friendship Group of Armenia-Iran, Chief of the NA Staff Gegham Gharibjanian and other officials attended the meeting.

Welcoming the guests the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan has noted with satisfaction that the Armenian-Iranian relations are at a high level, and all spheres continue to develop in the atmosphere of mutual trust. In the NA Speaker’s word, the achieved agreements are carried out in accordance with the agenda confirmed by RA President Serzh Sargsyan and IRI President Mamud Ahmadinezhad, which testifies to the mutual resoluteness of reinforcing the existing friendly and practical ties between the two countries. Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the cooperation between the RA and IRI legislative bodies also contributed to the formation of the warm relations between the two countries, and in this context highly appreciated the activities of the parliamentary groups of the two parliaments. He expressed conviction that due to the targeted cooperation of the parliaments and governments of the two countries the process of implementation of the joint programmes would continue. The NA Speaker has noted that the traditional warm attitude of the IRI powers shown towards the Armenian community of Iran has been always appreciated in Armenia, and the one of its expressions is also the care towards the Armenian cultural values.

Expressing gratitude for the reception and documenting the current high level of the Armenian-Iranian cooperation, the Iranian Foreign Minister highlighted the inter-parliamentary cooperation in the deepening and developing bilateral relations. He conveyed to Hovik Abrahamyan the warm greetings from the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani. “Armenia is a reliable neighbour and friend for Iran,” Mr. Salehi stated. In terms of further development of economic relations the implementation of the key projects in the spheres of energy and transport was emphasized. He highly appreciated the activity of the Iranian Armenian community in the reinforcement of bilateral relations, mentioning: “The Armenians in Iran have special status, and they are respected by everybody.”

In the course of the meeting the sides touched upon the regional problems, also discussed other issues of bilateral interest.