IRAN DEEMS RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA HIGHLY IMPORTANT: AMBASSADOR

ARKA
March 5, 2008

YEREVAN, March 5. /ARKA/. Iran deems highly significant its relations
with independent and steadily developing Armenia, Ambassador of
the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia Seyed Ali
Saghaeyan told reporters in Yerevan.

"Iran’s President Mahmood AhmadiNejad upheld this position during
his recent visit to Armenia," the Ambassador told reporters.

Mr. Saghaeyan stressed that the two countries’ relations have rich
history and the two peoples are interconnected with historic and
linguistic similarity. "Iran has been with Armenia in the most
difficult times.

Despite religious differences Armenians and Iranians still remain
friends," the Ambassador emphasized.

Saghaeyan said Armenians are actively involved in the cultural and
political lives of Iran. "Armenians are the only national minority
in our country having representatives in the Iranian Parliament,"
the diplomat said.

Currently, Armenia and Iran are connected with close economic ties. To
this testify the large energy projects, including the construction
of two hydro power plants on river Arax and the third Armenia-Iran
high voltage line. The largest project is the construction of the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline which is planned to be completed by the
end of 2008.