Iranian, Armenian Presidents Open Gas Pipeline

IRANIAN, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS OPEN GAS PIPELINE

ITAR-TASS, Russia
March 19 2007

TEHERAN, March 19 (Itar-Tass) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
and Armenian President Robert Kocharian have inaugurated a gas pipeline
on Monday intended to ensure Armenia’s energy security. The ceremony
took place in the Armenian settlement of Agarak on the border between
the two countries.

Robert Kocharian underlined that he regards completion of the gas
pipeline project as the new proof of friendship between Teheran
and Yerevan.

The two presidents have signed a protocol on broadening cooperation
and reaffirmed their intention to broaden bilateral contacts.

It has been reported that bad weather marred the ceremony Monday. It
has been heavily raining on the border between Iran and Armenia,
and air temperatures have dropped below zero point.

The gas pipeline 141 kilometers long (including 40 kilometers on
the Armenian territory) has connected gas transportation systems of
the two countries. The gas pipeline runs from Iranian Tabriz to the
border with Armenia and further on from the Armenian settlement of
Megri to Kadzharan.