On May 24, 2021, the Acting RA Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan received the delegation led by the Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Eslami, who arrived in Armenia on a working visit. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri also took part in the meeting.

While welcoming the guests, Vahan Kerobyan noted that strong partnership relations have been established between Armenia and Iran in the economic sphere, and the Armenian side is interested in expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation and trade and economic relations with Iran, as well as taking practical steps to implement the agreements reached.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Mohammad Eslami reaffirmed the Iranian side’s readiness for implementation of initiatives which contribute to deepening of economic ties, and expressed confidence that the great potential for current collaboration between the two countries can be realized by involving the Armenian and Iranian companies in implementation of joint projects.

A wide range of issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting, including investment attraction, construction of an industrial district with the participation of the Iranian side, improvement of logistics infrastructure, simplification and regulation of procedures in the cargo transportation process, as well as the possibility of reviewing the rates for fees for the Iranian transit cargo through Armenia.

The meeting also touched upon the launch of new direct flights between Armenia and Iran, which may be an additional impetus for activation of the tourism sector.

Summing up the results of the meeting, Vahan Kerobyan noted with satisfaction that both sides are ready to achieve practical results and expressed hope that the agreements reached during the meeting will help give new impetus to bilateral trade and transit cargo transportation. For that purpose, a Memorandum of understanding was signed between the RA Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which, in particular, envisages setting up a joint working group led by the RA Deputy Minister of Economy and the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran. The working group will study the procedures hindering the trade and economic relations and will make proposals on their elimination.

The document was signed by the RA Acting Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan and the IRI Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami.