January 21, 2010 - 13:22 AMT
Kocharian, Mottaki discuss regional issues
Former Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Wednesday to exchange views over regional and bilateral ties.

The senior Iranian diplomat described the Iran-Armenia relation as "long-standing" and underscored the necessity to maintain stability in the Caucasus.

"Security and stability in the Caucasus should be consolidated by regional approaches," Mr. Mottaki said.

Commenting on the current economic crisis, he said these problems have stemmed from the corrupt system ruling the world which was established after the Second World War.

Mr. Kocharian, for his part, said Armenia is determined to expand bilateral cooperation with Iran. He also highlighted the efficiency of regional approaches in promoting regional security and economic development, saying the foreign powers' prescriptions for resolving crises in the Caucasus region is destructive, Tehran Times reported.