Iran, Armenia Discuss Persian Gulf-Black Sea Link Project
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Top officials from Iran and Armenia explored avenues for implementation of a project linking the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea, and stressed the need for closer bilateral trade.
In a meeting with Armenia’s Minister of Energy, Infrastructures and Natural Resources Ashot Manukyan, held in Tehran on Monday, Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri said the two neighbors can promote cooperation by working on the necessary infrastructures for linking the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf.
The Iranian vice president also called for efforts for closer collaborations on banking and customs services, stressing that Tehran and Yerevan need to raise the economic and trade ties to a level proportional to their political relations.
Manukyan, for his part, referred to the Black Sea-Persian Gulf corridor as a top priority on the Armenian government’s agenda.
He also praised Iranian companies for carrying out infrastructural and gas distribution projects in Armenia, voicing his country’s willingness to use Iran’s experience in setting up free trade zones.
In June, President Hassan Rouhani offered Iran’s technical assistance to Armenia for implementing the mega project linking the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea.
Later in November, Armenia’s Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan said he has ordered the establishment of a special task force to facilitate the development of trade with neighboring Iran.