I am glad to welcome again in Yerevan my Iranian counterpart, my good friend Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Armenia and Iran have good neighbourly, multifaceted and mutually beneficial relations based on centuries-old friendship of our peoples.

The leaders of our countries have established warm, trustworthy relations, they hold regular meetings. President of Iran Rouhani visited Yerevan at the end of last year, President Sargsyan was in Tehran this August.

Prime Minister of Armenia has been in Iran on an official visit recently.

Today, Mr. Zarif will have meetings with the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of Armenia.

I am sure you are aware of the intensity of contacts of the Foreign Ministers. I and Mr. Zarif never miss an opportunity to meet, not only in Yerevan and Tehran, but on the international platforms as well.

In this jubilee year, marking the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, we can note with satisfaction that the Armenian-Iranian relations have developed dynamically, including new areas.

At the same time, we are aware that there is a great potential and we are determined through joint efforts to fully exploit it: to deepen, expand and strengthen the bilateral multifaceted collaboration.

During today's negotiations, we discussed the process of implementation of the agreements reached between the Armenian and Iranian leaders and touched upon a number of joint programmes.

We highlighted the importance of holding regular political consultations between the foreign ministries.

Our bilateral cooperation is quite extensive and includes the areas from agriculture to education, from culture to environment. A number of energy and infrastructure projects are being implemented. It can be noted with satisfaction that liberalization of visa regime last year has led to a significant increase in the flow of tourists.

The agenda of our meeting included the promotion of trade and economic cooperation. In that context we touched upon the preparations for the 15th session of the Intergovernmental Commission to be convened in Yerevan next month.

Establishment of an EAEU - Iran cooperation can ensure a breakthrough in the development of Armenian - Iranian economic relations. I should note also, that today we with Mr. Zarif will attend the opening of the Armenian-Iranian business forum.

Our cultural exchanges are quite rich. About a month ago a joint exhibition of the History Museum of Armenia and the National Museum of Iran has opened in Tehran.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have touched upon urgent regional and international issues. The situation in the Middle East, the struggle of the international community against terrorism were discussed.

At the meeting, we exchanged views on the implementation of the agreements reached over Iran's nuclear programme, which we certainly support.

I briefed Mr. Zarif on the joint efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries aimed at exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In this context, we attach importance to Iran's balanced principled position on exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of international law.

I should stop here and pass the floor to Mr Zarif.