TEHRAN -- The seventh session of the Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission was held in Yerevan on Friday. The commission was chaired by Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki and Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsesian.

The commission discussed cooperation in the areas of trade, energy, health, transportation, science, culture, as well as provincial and legal cooperation. Mottaki said ties between Iran and Armenia have risen significantly over the last few years. “We have witnessed good relations between two nations over centuries” and continued commercial ties are examples of progressive bilateral relations, Mottaki said. He mentioned the implementation of joint projects such as construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, electricity transmission lines, and a wind power station in Armenia as examples of growing economic cooperation between the neighbors. The Iranian top diplomat also pointed to an agreement to construct the Aras hydroelectric power station, establishing railway system between the two states, an initial agreement for forming a trilateral committee consisting of Iran, Russia and Armenia for building a refinery in Armenia, and establishing a joint trade center as among other avenues for upgrading ties. The Armenian energy minister also expressed satisfaction over the growing Tehran-Yerevan ties, adding that Armenia is prepared to take large steps for expansion of bilateral ties. ----------------Iran-Armenia ties are 1500 years old: Mottaki About 1,500 years of relations between Iran and Armenia has prepared the ground for taking giant steps to boost ties, Mottaki told his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian on Friday. Last year, during a visit to Tehran by the Armenian energy minister the plan to build a joint oil refinery was proposed and currently the project is under study, Mottaki stated. Oskanian went on to say that Iran and Armenia are determined to bolster ties and the inauguration of the gas pipeline project between the two countries shows that they are prepared to move ahead.