THE IRANIAN-ROMANIAN COOPERATION IN TRANSPORT SPHERE MEETS THE INTERESTS OF ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net - 15.08.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. Iranian Minister of Roads and Transportation Mahmoud Hojjati and Romanian Counterpart Anca Daniela Boagiu signed a memorandum of mutual understanding in Tehran on Monday. The document determines the principal directions of cooperation in the sphere of land, sea and air goods-transportation, reports IRNA.

Iran will assist Romania set up trade centers for Romanian goods in the Iranian ports of the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. The Romanian side in return will provide Iran with facility in Romanian Free Trade Zone to sell Iranian goods in the European market.

The Iranian-Romanian cooperation in transport sphere may have great perspectives for Armenia as well. During the visit of the President of Armenia Robert Kocharian to Bucharest in April 2000, the presidents of Romania and Armenia gave special importance to the development of transport infrastructures. Emil Konstantinesku informed MEDIAMAX that Romania has lately significantly developed its transport infrastructures, which could be of interest to Armenia. "Romania is ready to become the bridge between Armenia and Europe", said the Romanian president.

In reply to the question of MEDIAMAX, President Kocharian noted that within the frameworks of the TRACECA program big investments are realized for the development of transport infrastructures, including the ports of Poti and Constance.

"Our participation in the TRACECA program bears somewhat limited character today, as because of the unsolved Karabakh conflict Armenia can only partly be considered a transit country. But we must already work on that questions, prepare necessary legal foundation, and right after the settlement of the conflict we will become a serious transit country: Iran with its huge market and means will join that program", said Kocharian in April 2000. --0--