YEREVAN. - The Minister of Territorial Administration and Development of Armenia, Davit Lokyan, on Thursday received the delegation headed by Executive Director of Iranian Aras free trade zone, Mohsen Arab-Baghi.

The meeting was attended by the Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Seyed Kazem Sadjadi, as well as deputies of the Iranian parliament Mohammad Hassan Nejad and Armenian Karen Khanlaryan.

Welcoming the delegation members, Minister Lokyan underscored the importance of the new opprotunities of strengthening and developing Armenia-Iran relations, stressing the initiative of the Armenian Government to establish a free trade zone in Syunik.  According to him, the establishment of such a zone will seriously contribute to the development of the trade and economic relations of both countries.

''In our country we have free trade zones but real experience may be acceptable and exemplary for us. We also give Iran the best tool—the opportunity to export goods to the EAEU countries with the exemption from VAT and other duties,'' Lokyan noted.

Thanking the Minister for the meeting and warm reception, Ambassador Sadjadi agreed that the establishment of the free trade zone is a serious factor for the economic development of the border areas of the two countries. CEO of Aras free trade zone, for his part, made specific proposals on the cooperation in the area of industry, agriculture, cattle-breeding, greenhouse facilities, tourism, handicraft and other directions. 

Davit Lokyan, for his part, referred to the idea of creating a full model between the free trade zones of the two countries, underscoring the importance of the age-long Armenian-Iranian friendly ties in that issue.

At the end of the meeting, the sides reconfirmed their willingness to find new areas of cooperation and deepen collaboration.