Tehran: Khatami assesses outcomes of his three-nation tour as positi

Khatami assesses outcomes of his three-nation tour as positive
IRNA< Iran Sept 15 2004 Tehran, Sept 15, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami here Tuesday evening assessed the outcomes of his visit to Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan and his presence at the ECO summit as positive. Talking to reporters at Mehrabad International Airport upon his arrival, Khatami said the three countries are Iran`s friends which have had good relations with Tehran since their independence. "Attempts have been made that ties with the three states be directed towards progress and development with more speed," he said. He added during his visit to Armenia, which took place at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart, the two countries signed seven documents for cooperation, adding the document on transfer of Iran`s gas to Armenia was the most important one. In the visit to Armenia, the sides discussed bilateral, regional and international issues, the president noted. Pointing to natural and industrial resources of Belarus, he said Tehran and Minsk inked five documents. Khatami said the commission of Iran`s potentials in Belarus will be set up, adding a factory will also be established in Belarus for joint production of paper. He referred to the deep-rooted cultural ties with Tajikistan and said, "Iran`s trade exchanges with Tajikistan have been increased during recent years by three times but there still exist some potentials for further promotion of ties." Khatami noted that Iran and Tajikistan signed six documents, including construction of Anzab tunnel and Sangtudeh power plant in participation of Iran, Russia and Tajikistan. Pointing to the ECO summit, held in Tajikistan on Tuesday, the president stated that in today`s complicated world regional organizations can play an effective role, adding regarding potentials of the region and common history and culture of ECO nations, the Economic Cooperation Organization can take many useful measures. He stressed that Iran`s two proposals on reforming the trend of ECO decision-making and establishing ECO free trade zone were approved during the organization`s summit. It is expected that the ECO would achieve its goal regarding the setting up of the free trade zone by 2015, Khatami said. He added that he held separate meetings with his Tajik, Afghan and Kyrgyz counterparts as well as the prime ministers of Pakistan and Turkey on the sidelines of the ECO summit. President Mohammad Khatami arrived in Tehran on Tuesday evening, ending his three-nation tour which took him to Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan.