A wide range of issues on Armenian-Iranian cooperation were discussed

RA Minister of Energy infrastructures and Natural Resources, co-chair of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission, Ashot Manukyan received Akbar Torkan the Adviser to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the delegation led by the Secretary General of the Free Trade Zone Supreme. Welcoming the guests, Ashot Manukyan congratulated the friendly people of Iran on the presidential election and expressed conviction that in the second period of President Rouhani's tenure, the Armenian-Iranian relations will continue to develop and deepen successfully.

 "I am confident that our cooperation in the economic sphere, especially in the energy sphere, will develop, deepen and bring mutually beneficial results both to Armenia and Iran",- said Ashot Manukyan.

Mr. Torbani thanked for the warm welcome and underlined that the energy sector is one of the most important branches of the Iranian economy. The interlocutors discussed prospects of bilateral and regional cooperation in the energy sphere.

"We have very good cooperation with Armenia in the field of gas and electricity, and there are opportunities and potential to expand it",- said Mr. Torkan.

Ashot Manukyan presented up to 2036 Armenia energy sector development strategy, noting that Iran-Armenia high voltage third power transmission line is under construction today. Thanks to it, the export of electricity from Armenia to Iran will reach 1050 MW.

The Minister also highlighted the construction of a new Armenia-Georgia high-voltage line,
that combination of which will allow Armenia-Iran high-voltage line to turn Armenia into a transit country of electricity with Iran and Georgia and then to Russia.
The minister also touched upon the construction of Meghri HPP, in view of which there is already agreement between the Ministry of Energy of Iran and in the context of interaction, it can be considered as an integral part of the electricity project for gas. In that context, they also touched upon the construction of Yerevan Thermal Power Plant 2-nd Unit. Speaking about Armenia's energy security strengthening programs, the Minister underscored the importance build of the 76-megawatt Shnehen HPP in Lori province, which is being funded by the Armenian Investment Club.

The project of the construction of the first solar station in Masrik, with a capacity of 55 MW, was also presented.
Touching upon the establishment of a free economic zone in Meghri, Ashot Manukyan stressed: "Creating a Free Economic Zone is also one of our agenda issues.
I am confident that it will become a window to Iran for Iran, and for Iranian merchants - worth 180 million to the Eurasian Economic Cooperation Market.