Iran’s First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri with Armenia’s Prime Minister Hovik Abramyan during a press conference Wednesday in Yerevan

YEREVAN—Armenia on Wednesday welcomed Iran’s First Vice President Eshag Jahangiri, who in meetings with Armenia’s Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan pledged to expand bilateral cooperation on the basis of the deeply rooted friendship between the two countries.

During a meeting on upon the top Iranian official’s arrival, Abrahamyan and Jahangiri discussed a wide range of issues related to the expansion of trade and economic relations, energy projects, transport infrastructures, the perspectives of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, education and culture.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Armenian Prime Minister said the two discussed the construction of the third high-voltage power line, which is expected to e completed by 2018. They also agreed on the future steps connected with the construction of Meghri HPP and gas distribution network in Armenian villages bordering Iran. The parties referred to the North-South highway and the Armenia-Iran rail project, stressing their key role in the improvement of regional cooperation and economic growth.

Abrahamyn assured of the willingness of the Armenian Government to contribute to the establishment and deepening of cooperation between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), particularly in the context of a future free trade agreement.

The prime minsiter praised the positive momentum reached in the talks on Iran’s nuke program and stressed that agreements reached within that framework will benefit the region, contribute to regional and international security and steady development, as well as open perspectives for the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Jahangiri said that “there is no obstacle for the development of relations between the two countries,” calling the potential for cooperation “limitless.”

“The success achieved within the framework of 5+1 talks creates new and positive conditions for the development of relations and opens new spheres for the development of bilateral economic cooperation,” he said.

He said construction of the third high-voltage power is currently under way and will be completed in the shortest term.

“We held discussions on the railway and cargo transportation, and we are confident we’ll link the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea within the framework of cooperation with other countries of the region,” the Vice-President said.

He added that Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union opens a new window from the perspective of development of economic relations between the two countries.

Abrahamyan expressed Armenia’s readiness to support cooperation and launching of dialogue between Iran and the EEU, specifically in the area of a free trade agreement between Iran and EEU.