Maintaining an active political dialogue with Iran and expanding trade and economic ties are among the priorities of Armenia’s bilateral relations. Deepening energy cooperation and developing border infrastructure with Iran, as well as expanding Armenia’s communication routes passing through Iran (North-South, Persian Gulf-Black Sea) will continue. This is stated in the Armenian government’s five-year program, which was approved at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting and has now been sent to the parliament for approval.

“The consistent implementation of the declaration on the establishment of strategic partnership between Armenia and Georgia will continue, which will create new mutually beneficial opportunities for political, trade and economic, energy, transport cooperation, as well as the development of regional and joint infrastructure projects,” the program adds.

Also, Armenia’s relations with other strategic partner states—including the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Germany, Luxembourg, the UK, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Lithuania—will also continue to be further deepened.

In addition, efforts will be made to develop Armenia’s relations with countries in the Middle East and Africa, and work will continue to expand the number and geographical scope of Armenia’s strategic partners, including by increasing Armenia’s diplomatic presence in foreign countries and international organizations, the five-year program states.