IRAN, ARMENIA INK MOUS ON ENERGY COOPERATION

Fars News Agency
June 1 2011
Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Armenian
Energy Minister Armen Movsisian signed several agreements to bolster
ties and cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan in oil, gas and other
energy and industrial fields.

The agreement was endorsed during a ceremony at the end of the two
countries’ 10th Joint Economic Cooperation Commission meeting.

After signing the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Salehi said, “In
2010, trade between Iran and Armenia increased by 38 percent, bilateral
trade between the two sides currently stands at 270 million dollars,
and we are now the fourth biggest economic partner of Armenia.”

Salehi stressed that the two sides would continued efforts to expand
bilateral ties, particularly in economic field.

“It is necessary that the reached agreements and the signed documents
between Tehran and Yerevan would be implemented by both sides.”

The Iranian foreign minister pointed out that the volume of the two
countries’ trade in the year 2010 increased 38 percent compared to the
previous year to $270 million, adding, “this increased volume raised
Iran’s status among Armenia’s major trade partners in the year 2010
from the 8th to the 4th place.”

Yet, Salehi lamented that the current trade volume of the two countries
does not match the existing capacities and potentials.

“Now conditions are ripe for increasing this volume to an acceptable
level.”

He also referred to Iran and Armenia’s status in the transportation
field, arguing, “keeping in mind Armenia’s unique position in the
region, which can be connected to the Black Sea in the west on
one hand, and to the Persian Gulf through Iran on the other hand,
can bring very positive economic fruits both for our two countries,
and for the entire region.”

Salehi noted continued energy cooperation with Armenia, and said,
“Iran with its rich energy resources can be a reliable source for
providing energy for the friend and neighbor country of Armenia.”

Referring to the reached agreements in that realm, the Iranian top
diplomat expressed hope that in such fields as gas, transfer of new
oil and electricity industries, and other energy cooperation, the
joint work would proceed in accordance with the reached agreements
and the programs proposed by the technical experts.

Armenia’s Energy Minister Armen Movsisian, too, said, “Iran-Armenia
relations are very high level and cooperation in such fields would
keep on growing.”

He pointed out that the Armenian president attaches great importance
to his country’s relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“The two countries enjoy very excellent political ties presently,
which leads to the growth of cooperation in various other fields,”
said Movsisian also emphasized in response to a reporter’s question
on the situation in Karabakh, “Iran spares no effort aimed at solving
that crisis.”

The Armenian official stressed that policies regarding Karabakh are
based on regional interests.

On Sunday, Iranian Minister of Energy Majid Namjou announced that
the two countries have agreed to boost swap of electricity once
construction of the third power transmission line is completed.

“The construction phase of the third power transmission line between
the two countries will start in the next two weeks,” Namjou told
reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with Armenian Energy and
Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisian.

He added the new line will bring the volume of power exchange between
the two countries from the current 300mw to 500-800 mw.

The minister said that over $110million of funding is needed for the
construction of the new power transmission line.

Movsisian, for his part, stated that the two neighboring countries have
run successful energy cooperation for years, and reminded that many
projects have been implemented in Armenia through Iran’s cooperation.

Iran and Armenia have expanded cooperation in power and gas swap in
recent years.

Iran mainly exports natural gas to Armenia and imports power supplies
from the Caucasian state through two transfer lines with a total
power transfer capacity of 220kw/ph at present.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress