IRNA � President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday called for full restoration of banking ties with Armenia to enhance level of trade and economic cooperation.


He made the remarks in closing ceremony of Conference on Iran-Armenia Trade ties in Yerevan.

Iranian and Armenian entrepreneurs should get acquainted with capacities of the two countries for trade and economic cooperation and utilize them to the benefit of the both nations, Rouhani said.

President Rouhani said that officials of Iran and Armenia should prepare grounds for development of cooperation and removal of the obstacles on the way of expansion of ties.

He said that cancellation of visa between Iran and Armenia is an important step to expand tourism, cultural and academic relations.

Regarding the efforts to develop Iran's gas export to Armenia, President Rouhani emphasized the need to regulate the banking ties.

Considering necessity to facilitate financial and credit exchanges as well as the customs house services for businessmen and private sector, Rouhani said that using Aras Free Zone may facilitate trade relations between the two states.

Regarding geographical position of Iran and Armenia, Rouhani said that the two countries may turn to a transit corridor between north and south.

He said that connection between Black Sea and the Persian Gulf would create big developments in trade and economic relations between the two countries as well as regional states.

Concerning preferential trade between the two countries as well as Iran and Eurasia big steps should be taken, Rouhani said.

He called for positive steps to be taken by the two governments to speed up cooperation on economy, science and technology in future.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said in the conference that Armenia will increase level of guarantee for Iranian businessmen and expressed his country's interest to connect the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf through Iran and Armenia and expressed hope that the two countries would promptly reach free trade agreement.

Sargsyan also expressed his country interest to launch direct flight between Tehran and Yerevan.