ARMENIA-IRAN-PRESIDENT

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that improved trade relations between Tehran and Yerevan is in favor of regional security and peace.

Ahmadinejad made the remarks during a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian which was held in Tehran late on Saturday, Tehran Times reported.

He commented on the untapped potential of both countries for the enhancement of relations and said trading with neighbors is always the best trade which helps improve security and establish peace in the region.

He regarded bilateral relations as friendly and cordial and said there is no obstacle in the way of developing ties between the two countries in all spheres.

"We can expand the existing relations up to three times bigger," he added.

He pointed to the Collaborative and constructive plans which are on the agenda of the meetings between Iran and Armenia and said the plans can deepen bilateral ties.

He went on to say that Iran wants all countries in the world live together in peace and justice, and whenever a disagreement occurs, it would be resolved through dialogue.

Elsewhere in his remarks Ahmadinejad said technical and financial problems, which stand in the way of implementing the agreements signed between the Islamic Republic and Armenia, should be resolved as soon as possible.

In the meeting, Nalbandian also conveyed the greetings of the Armenian President Serzh Azati Sargsyan to Ahmadinejad and submitted his written message to the Iranian president. During his remarks, Nalbandian said the value of trade between the two countries has been increased by more than 38 percent and reached about 270 million dollars.

He also said that Armenia always appreciates Iran's stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, which has dragged on since ethnic Armenian forces took control of the region during a war in the early 1990s.

The source recalls that Iran had earlier extended an offer to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the dispute.

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Germany will soon have the largest conventional army in Europe, but there will be no conscription

Germany will soon have the largest conventional army in Europe, but there will be no conscription

The Bundeswehr currently has around 182,000 troops. The new military service model aims to increase that number by 20,000 over the next year, rising to between 255,000 and 260,000 over the next 10 years, supplemented by approximately 200,000 reservists. From next year, all 18-year-old men and women will be sent a questionnaire to assess their interest and willingness to join the armed forces. It will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women. From July 2027 all men aged 18 will also have to take a medical exam to assess their fitness for duty. If the government's targets are not met, a form of compulsory enlistment could be considered by parliament. If war were to break out, the military would be able to draw on the questionnaires and medical exams for potential recruits. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said despite the new military service plan there was "no cause for concern... no reason for fear". "The more capable of deterrence and defence our armed forces are, through armament through training and through personnel, the less likely it is that we will become a party to a conflict at all," Pistorius said. Defence spending in Germany tumbled after the end of the Cold War, while conscription was suspended in 2011. Given its past, Germany has long been shy of showing military might, but earlier this year Friedrich Merz announced that the rule for German defence "now has to be whatever it takes", following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Around 300,000 young men per year will be affected. The defense minister argues that this is the only way for the Bundeswehr to get an idea of who could be called up in the event of a conflict.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Germany will soon have the largest conventional army in Europe, but there will be no conscription

Germany will soon have the largest conventional army in Europe, but there will be no conscription

The Bundeswehr currently has around 182,000 troops. The new military service model aims to increase that number by 20,000 over the next year, rising to between 255,000 and 260,000 over the next 10 years, supplemented by approximately 200,000 reservists. From next year, all 18-year-old men and women will be sent a questionnaire to assess their interest and willingness to join the armed forces. It will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women. From July 2027 all men aged 18 will also have to take a medical exam to assess their fitness for duty. If the government's targets are not met, a form of compulsory enlistment could be considered by parliament. If war were to break out, the military would be able to draw on the questionnaires and medical exams for potential recruits. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said despite the new military service plan there was "no cause for concern... no reason for fear". "The more capable of deterrence and defence our armed forces are, through armament through training and through personnel, the less likely it is that we will become a party to a conflict at all," Pistorius said. Defence spending in Germany tumbled after the end of the Cold War, while conscription was suspended in 2011. Given its past, Germany has long been shy of showing military might, but earlier this year Friedrich Merz announced that the rule for German defence "now has to be whatever it takes", following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Around 300,000 young men per year will be affected. The defense minister argues that this is the only way for the Bundeswehr to get an idea of who could be called up in the event of a conflict.