Transport cooperation with Iran among priorities for Armenia's economy - president
YEREVAN. Feb 19 (Interfax) - The development of transportation cooperation between Armenia and Iran in setting up the North-South automobile transport corridor is among the priorities for Armenia's economy, says Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.
"Armenia should turn into a priority transit route for Iran. This means not only the passage of Iranian transport [vehicles] and cargo through Armenia but is also a substantial incentive for Armenia's economic development," Sargsyan said at a conference attended by Armenian Ambassador to Iran Artashes Tumanian, which dealt with the promotion of Armenia's economic interests abroad.
Armenia attaches great significance to the construction of the North-South automobile transport corridor, which should turn the country into a transit territory on the route between the Persian Gulf and Black Sea ports, he said.
"We have already allocated hundreds of millions in order to build the North-South automobile road within the next three or four years to link Georgia's northern border with Iran's southern border. We are also taking measures to find opportunities for arranging railroad communication with Iran," Sargsyan said.
It is also important to make sure that Armenian goods and transport [vehicles] could freely reach Iran, "a solvent 80-million market with great opportunities," he said.
Sargsyan suggested also that Western business people could view Armenia as "an important platform" in arranging business ties with Iran.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry will soon include the office of deputy minister in charge of foreign economic affairs, he said.