Iran, Armenia discuss new bridge, border upgrades and cross-border energy links
Iran and Armenia are seeking to expand economic cooperation in trade, transport and energy, with eight specialized committees meeting in Yerevan to discuss joint projects and prepare a cooperation agreement, Iran's state planning agency said on Monday.
Hamid Pourmohammadi, head of Iran's Plan and Budget Organization and leader of the Iranian delegation, are attending the 19th session of the Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Commission in the Armenian capital.
The eight committees are covering infrastructure, customs, trade, culture and the arts, healthcare, industry, mining and technology. The two-day meeting began on Monday, when the two sides are expected to sign a joint cooperation document, the organization said, according to Mehr news agency.
Transport infrastructure is among the main areas under discussion. Road construction from Jolfa to Nurdouz in Iran’s East Azarbaijan Province is progressing, while Iranian contractors are also undertaking work on the Nurdouz-Yerevan route inside Armenia, Pourmohammadi said.
Plans also include building a new bridge over the Aras River, expanding border terminals and increasing customs capacity to facilitate cross-border traffic and trade.
The two sides are also discussing measures to ease truck movements and increase travel by Iranian and Armenian tourists, he said.
In the energy sector, Iranian contractors are working on a power transmission line running through Armenia toward Iran. Iran's supply of petroleum products needed by Armenia is another potential area of bilateral cooperation, Pourmohammadi said.
The committees are also examining opportunities for cooperation in mining, industry, trade and technology, with both countries seeking to make use of their respective economic capacities.
Pourmohammadi is also scheduled to meet Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, as well as Armenia's deputy prime minister and the Armenian co-chair of the joint commission, to discuss bilateral issues and the outcome of the committee meetings.