Iran's Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani says Tehran pursues the policy of strengthening convergence among regional countries and resolving disputes through negotiations.

“The policy of the Islamic Republic is to strengthen convergence among regional countries and to resolve differences and disputes through negotiations and mutual understanding,” Larijani said on Sunday, April 29, during a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in Tehran.

Larijani said implementing joint economic projects is an important step towards improving bilateral economic ties, calling for increasing the relations between the private sectors of Iran and Armenia.

The value of trade between the two countries reached USD 270 million in 2010, and currently stands at over USD 300 million.

Minister Nalbandian, for his part, stressed the role of the two countries’ parliaments in solidifying bilateral ties. “Armenia attaches great importance to expanding friendly relations with the Islamic Republic in all fields,” he added.

The Armenian Minister also held talks with senior Iranian officials on economic, political, and regional issues.