Dear Mr. Amir Abdollahian,

Dear colleagues, 

Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Amir Abdollahian, my partner and a good friend, for the invitation, the warm welcome as well as for the effective discussions and negotiations.

During our discussions with Minister Abdullahian in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual trust, we commended the high level of Armenian-Iranian relations and the regularity of high-level contacts. We stressed that our partnership is based on the centuries-old brotherhood, and expressed mutual readiness to deepen our strategic partnership in all directions.

We discussed in detail the regional developments. Indeed, I touched upon the recent Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh and its consequences.  We have also mentioned that foreign terrorist fighters from various hotspots participated in that aggression.

I emphasized that many humanitarian issues remained unsolved after the war.  Although Azerbaijan has an obligation to release all Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians since the cessation of hostilities, they are still being held in Baku. Their release and repatriation must be immediately implemented.

I have mentioned that we have agreed that Armenia and Azerbaijan should launch negotiations with the mediation of Russia on the opening of regional communications, but there are problems here between the sides.

Armenia has and continues to state that it is open to talk about opening the communications, while Azerbaijan is trying to misinterpret the so-called "Zangezur Corridor", about which there has been no agreement.

Both these actions and Azerbaijan's infiltration into the sovereign territory of Armenia endanger our efforts for stability and security in the region. In this regard, we highly appreciate Iran's position on the territorial integrity of Armenia and the inviolability of its borders.

I also briefed my colleague that, in fact, the peace process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship was restarted in New York a few days ago.  Taking this opportunity, I would like to reiterate Armenia's readiness to continue the full process of the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework and the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, on the basis of well-known principles and elements.

Indeed, one of the important topics of our meeting today was the recent challenges of transport transition and the ways to overcome them. I have briefed the honorable Mr. Minister on the details of the road construction, as well as the existing challenges and informed that the bypass road, which is so much discussed, is almost over.

Indeed, we talked about continuing, accelerating and completing our major joint economic programs.

I would like to note once again that, as the Minister assured, the political leaderships of the two countries are determined to develop and deepen our relations in full and partnering manner.

Thank you again for the invitation, dear Minister, I look forward to seeing You in Yerevan.