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Tehran, Yerevan confer on boosting ties
Political Desk
On Line: 27 January 2015 18:10
In Print: Wednesday 28 January 2015
http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/121359-tehran-yerevan-confer-on-boosting-ties
TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Yerevan
with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday, underlining the
need for boosting ties.
The two officials also discussed the latest regional developments.
Earlier on Tuesday, Zarif held separate talks with Armenian Parliament
Speaker Galust Sahakyan, his counterpart Edward Nalbandian, and Prime
Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.
During his meeting with Sahakyan, the two officials said the
North-South railway can increase trade exchanges between the two
countries, Fars news agency reported.
"Building the North-South railway can prove effective in increasing
the volume of exchanges," Sahakyan said.
The North-South railway route connects the Commonwealth of the
Independent States (CIS) countries to the Persian Gulf and Southeast
Asian nations.
Sahakyan also regretted that Iran and Armenia have not been able to
use all their capacities to develop ties. "Experts should work hard to
identify the potentials and use these opportunities to further broaden
the relations."
Iran and Armenia have taken major strides in deepening their relations
in recent years, particularly in the economic sector.
'Peaceful coexistence between Islam and Christianity'
In his meeting Nalbandian, Zarif said the nature of relations between
Iran and Armenia is a proof that Islam and Christianity could have a
peaceful coexistence, IRNA reported.
He further highlighted Iran's interest in peace, stability, and
friendship among neighboring countries and hoped the Karabakh dispute
would be settled soon, according to the Armen Press news agency.
Zarif also pointed to the Western-led sanctions against Iran for its
nuclear program, asserting that sanctions were not the proper ways to
settle differences.
'West should stop pressing Iran'
In a later press conference with Nalbandian, Zarif expressed hope that
countries involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran would work out to
clinch a nuclear deal, IRNA reported.
The 5+1 group of major powers should be aware that they could hold
dialogue with no countries while simultaneously putting pressure on
them, Zarif said, adding that a nuclear deal will benefit all sides,
especially regional countries.
Noting that Iran's nuclear talks with the 5+1 group are now focused on
expert details, Zarif said the other party has already accepted Iran's
right to continue its enrichment activities.
He added Iran has never intended to develop nuclear arms, and Tehran
is ready to offer necessary proof about the peaceful nature of its
nuclear activities.
Nalbandian expressed his country's support for the nuclear talks
between Tehran and the world powers, and hoped that the negotiations
would yield results.
MD/PA
Political Desk
On Line: 27 January 2015 18:10
In Print: Wednesday 28 January 2015
http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/121359-tehran-yerevan-confer-on-boosting-ties
TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Yerevan
with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday, underlining the
need for boosting ties.
The two officials also discussed the latest regional developments.
Earlier on Tuesday, Zarif held separate talks with Armenian Parliament
Speaker Galust Sahakyan, his counterpart Edward Nalbandian, and Prime
Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.
During his meeting with Sahakyan, the two officials said the
North-South railway can increase trade exchanges between the two
countries, Fars news agency reported.
"Building the North-South railway can prove effective in increasing
the volume of exchanges," Sahakyan said.
The North-South railway route connects the Commonwealth of the
Independent States (CIS) countries to the Persian Gulf and Southeast
Asian nations.
Sahakyan also regretted that Iran and Armenia have not been able to
use all their capacities to develop ties. "Experts should work hard to
identify the potentials and use these opportunities to further broaden
the relations."
Iran and Armenia have taken major strides in deepening their relations
in recent years, particularly in the economic sector.
'Peaceful coexistence between Islam and Christianity'
In his meeting Nalbandian, Zarif said the nature of relations between
Iran and Armenia is a proof that Islam and Christianity could have a
peaceful coexistence, IRNA reported.
He further highlighted Iran's interest in peace, stability, and
friendship among neighboring countries and hoped the Karabakh dispute
would be settled soon, according to the Armen Press news agency.
Zarif also pointed to the Western-led sanctions against Iran for its
nuclear program, asserting that sanctions were not the proper ways to
settle differences.
'West should stop pressing Iran'
In a later press conference with Nalbandian, Zarif expressed hope that
countries involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran would work out to
clinch a nuclear deal, IRNA reported.
The 5+1 group of major powers should be aware that they could hold
dialogue with no countries while simultaneously putting pressure on
them, Zarif said, adding that a nuclear deal will benefit all sides,
especially regional countries.
Noting that Iran's nuclear talks with the 5+1 group are now focused on
expert details, Zarif said the other party has already accepted Iran's
right to continue its enrichment activities.
He added Iran has never intended to develop nuclear arms, and Tehran
is ready to offer necessary proof about the peaceful nature of its
nuclear activities.
Nalbandian expressed his country's support for the nuclear talks
between Tehran and the world powers, and hoped that the negotiations
would yield results.
MD/PA