Boosting relations with neighboring countries is Iran's priorities; Rouhani

EghtesadOnline: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said boosting relations with neighboring countries particularly in economic and national security terms is among Iran's foreign policy priorities.

News ID: ۷۳۸۷۶۵

22 December 2016

Rouhani made the remarks among reporters on Wednesday before departing for Armenia, ILNA reported.

Elaborating more on his visit to Central Asia and the Caucasus, Rouhani said he is scheduled to pay visit to three countries of Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Iran's northern neighbors; the trip is in response to the visits of the heads of the three countries in previous years and is upon their official invitation.

"Iran has developed good economic relations with these countries and is prepared to play a role in the fields of technical-engineering services in these three countries," Rouhani noted.

He went on to say that dozens of companies are active in these countries and that there is potential to increase the number.

"These three countries are members of the Eurasian Economic Community and in recent years we have established closer ties with them," Rouhani added.

He said the three countries are part of Iran's corridor to the West or the East and North; "we can connect to the Black Sea and Western and European countries via Armenia," he underlined.

The railway from Kazakhstan, with access to the Persian Gulf, will greatly contribute to strengthening economic ties, Rouhani said.

"Iran's railway connection to Kazakhstan will help us visit some northern and western countries," Rouhani added.

Rouhani said issues such as terrorism and insecurity, as well as unity in regional issues will be discussed in meetings with officials of three countries.

President Hassan Rouhani left Tehran on Wednesday for Yerevan of Armenia to deepen bilateral and regional cooperation.