Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday received a delegation led by Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, the PM’s office informs.

The premier considered it symbolic that Ahmadian is the first high-ranking foreign official to visit Armenia in the new year that started, and added that this emphasizes the importance and deep nature of Armenia-Iran relations. Pashinyan added that there is one guarantee in the relations between the two countries which is unshakable: Armenia and Iran are linked to one another by natural interests. The premier emphasized the interest of the Armenian government to consistently develop and expand bilateral cooperation with Iran in all domains.

In turn, Ali Akbar Ahmadian stressed that the rich civilizational past between Armenia and Iran and the warm contacts between the two peoples give confidence that the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries will continue to strengthen and deepen.

The interlocutors discussed the dynamic development of bilateral relations, and expressed belief that the two parties have new opportunities for cooperation, including in technology, industry, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, road construction, and some other domains.

The development of Armenia’s cooperation with Iran in the construction of the North-South Highway was emphasized, too. The parties expressed confidence that the construction of this highway will give a new impetus to the increase in bilateral trade and cargo transportation.

In the context of unblocking of the regional transport routes, the interlocutors reflected on the Crossroads of Peace project of the Armenian government. Ali Akbar Ahmadian noted that Iran supports the implementation of this project—and based on the principles laid down in it.