Iran’s Rouhani Urges Expansion of Ties with Georgia
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday voiced Tehran's willingness for establishing closer ties with Georgia, and said mutual cooperation should be expanded in all fields.
The Iranian president said that the two countries should further expand their cooperation and relations in all fields by strengthening the activities of their chambers of commerce and encouraging the private sector to make joint investments.
Rouhani made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting Georgian Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili in Tehran.
He went on to say that Tehran is ready to enhance its cooperation with Tbilisi in scientific, cultural, and energy sectors.
“Georgia can act as one of the routes for exporting Iran’s gas to Europe, while the North-South corridor and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s railway can link Georgian ports to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman,” Rouhani explained.
Iran's president also emphasized cooperation between the two countries in regional issues, and said that cooperation is the only way to establish stability and security in the region.
Usupashvili, for his part, voiced his country’s willingness to develop and deepen mutual cooperation (with Iran) in different fields, and said that the economy and energy ministries of Tehran and Tbilisi have good cooperation now.
He also hailed Tehran’s prominent role in the region, and said that the Islamic Republic of Iran can play a positive role in establishing peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, Usupashvili is in Tehran at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani. He earlier held a meeting with Larijani on Saturday during which the two sides underscored the expansion of bilateral parliamentary ties.