Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Armenia on Wednesday (21 December) at the start of a short official visit. He was met at Yerevan Zvartnots Airport by Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan and other officials.
Greeting his Iranian counterpart, President Sargsyan said:
"For the Armenian people, you are an awaited and valued guest, and we are hopeful that your first official visit in your capacity as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a new spirit and a new life to our cooperation. The Armenian-Iranian cooperation comes from the depths of the centuries, and based on that very solid foundation we formed our interstate relations in 1992. Today, 25 years later, I am very glad to be able to state that throughout this period of time there has been no instance that would darken our relations. We are thankful to the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the considerate attitude towards our relations. We have always been truthful and honest in our relations and are ready to carry on in the same spirit.
President Rouhani and President Sargsyan later had a tete-a-tete meeting at the Presidential palace in Yerevan, and afterwards participated in talks in extended formats with the participation of delegations from the two countries.
After Armenia, President Rouhani will also be visiting Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
source; commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: President Sargsyan and President Rouhani at an official welcome ceremony for the Iranian President at the Presidential Palalce in Yerevan on Wednesday, 21 december 2016 (picture courtesy of the press service of the Presdient of Armenia)
