Armenia boosts relations with Iran on energy

YEREVAN - Agence France-Presse

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a visit to Armenia on Dec. 23 that saw the Islamic republic and its small Christian neighbour sign a series of agreements including a energy cooperation deal to boost ties.

A joint statement by Ahmadinejad and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian said that the two politically isolated countries planned to step up cooperation. “The presidents expressed their determination to develop a friendly and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship,” said the statement issued by Sarkisian’s office. Ahmadinejad and Sarkisian’s statement also noted Yerevan’s support for Tehran in the row over its controversial nuclear programme.

The joint statement said that six agreements were signed during Ahmadinejad’s visit including an energy cooperation deal and a memorandum about Iranian development assistance to Armenia. A timetable was also agreed for the joint construction of a hydro-electric power station on the Arax river which runs along their mutual border.