Karen Karapetyan and Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed the development of bilateral economic cooperation

ArmInfo.On November 28,  Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received Foreign Minister of  Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif. The sides discussed issues of development  of bilateral economic cooperation.  As the press service of the  Armenian government reports, Karen Karapetyan noted the high level of  bilateral relations.

According to the Prime Minister, despite the  serious achievements of bilateral cooperation, much remains to be  done. According to him, the recorded indicators on foreign trade  turnover do not reflect the real potential of trade and economic  cooperation between the two countries. The Armenian government, as  the head of the Armenian Cabinet of Ministers stated, is extremely  interested in the development of economic cooperation and is ready  for a qualitatively new relationship with the Islamic Republic of  Iran.

The head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, in turn, noted that he is  in solidarity with the Prime Minister of Armenia. "Economic  cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of  Armenia does not correspond to the high level of political dialogue  between the two countries," he said, stressing Iran's interest in  boosting trade and economic ties.

The interlocutors discussed issues of bilateral cooperation on the  FEZ line in Meghri, the launch of which is planned for December this  year. The Armenian PM once again stressed that the FEZ can become a  profitable platform for the Iranian business in the context of  entering the markets of third countries. The sides also touched upon  the prospects for cooperation in the energy sector, both in bilateral  and multilateral formats.

To note,  today at the site of the Armenian-Iranian business forum  about 150 entrepreneurs from Iran and Armenia discussed the  possibilities of implementing joint programs. At an event organized  by the Development Fund of Armenia (DFA), Iranian businessmen were  presented with Armenia's business prospects, tax legislation of the  country, as well as preferential trade regimes for local business.  According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, the foreign  trade turnover between Armenia and Iran in January-September 2017  increased by 10% to $ 197.5 million. At the same time, exports  increased by 9% to $ 62.9 million, and imports - by 10.4% to $ 134.6  million.