TEHRAN (Iran News) –Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Tehran Tuesday to hold key talks with senior Iranian officials on ways to improve bilateral relations and sign documents for strengthening cooperation.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Pashinyan arrived in Tehran. He was officially welcomed by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at Sa’dabad Palace, where the national anthems of the two countries were performed. The two top officials then reviewed the guard of honor.

Pashinyan and Raisi then started their meeting to discuss Tehran-Yerevan ties. On the sidelines of the meeting, political and economic delegations of the two countries also discussed issues of common interests.

Trade relations between Iran and Armenia have witnessed a 43% growth in recent months, said President Raisi, adding that the goal is to increase trade relations up to $3 billion.

Undoubtedly, the visit of the Prime Minister of Armenia to the Islamic Republic of Iran will be a turning point in the development of the two countries, the Iranian President said in this presser.

Saying that the neighborliness policy is one of the policies emphasized by the Iranian government, he added that holding such bilateral meetings for the development of economic, trade, and security relations between Iran and Armenia are on the agenda.

According to President Raisi, the trade relations between Iran and Armenia have witnessed a 43% growth in recent months.

“Our goal is to increase trade relations up to three billion dollars, which can be achieved with the will of the two countries,” he added.

Good relations between the two countries will definitely lead to better relations in the region and the world, Raisi underlined.

Stating that the Caucasus region is a part of Iran’s history, civilization, and culture, Raisi said that developments, security, and peace in the Caucasus region are very important for Iran.

Emphasizing that regional problems should be resolved by regional actors, he stressed, “Any kind of interference by foreigners in the region will create problems instead of solving the problem.”

For his part, the Armenian Prime Minister appreciated president Raisi’s approach toward the Armenian community of Iran.

The Islamic Republic of Iran can be a clear and explicit symbol of peaceful cooperation and coexistence among the followers of different religions, Pashinyan said.

Appreciating Iran’s principled views on peace and security in the Caucasus region, Pashinyan said, “I briefed Mr. Raisi about the tripartite meeting in Sochi and I agree with the views of the Iranian president regarding the establishment of stable peace and security in the region.”

The Iranian and Armenian ministers signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the extension of the electricity and gas agreement, he also announced.

He also said that some discussions were held in the field of energy and agriculture, infrastructure, and water resources management.

The Prime Minister of Armenia also invited the Iranian President to visit Yerevan to continue these talks.

Later Iranian road minister voiced readiness of Iranian firms for developing transportation between Iran and Armenia and creating a new transit corridor between Armenia and the Persian Gulf via Nordooz village in East Azarbaijan.

Rostam Ghasemi made the remarks in a meeting with the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan during which it was decided that Iranian companies cooperate with Armenia in the construction of tunnels, roads, and buildings.

Based on the agreement between the two countries, they decided to complete and develop the north-south corridor from the Nordooz border to Varzeqan and Tabriz, he added.

Due to the fact that Iran has good experience in the field of housing construction under the title of National Housing Movement, Iranian construction companies will start activity in Armenia, Ghasemi said.

More than 200 million tons of goods are transited in the north of Iran, which can be considered a good opportunity for developing exchanges between the two countries, the Iranian minister noted.

Emphasizing the fact that Iran is the fourth largest producer of cement in the world and has also been effective in the field of steel production, Ghasemi said that Iranian producers of cement, steel, and construction materials will be introduced to Armenia.