October 11, The Iran Project � Visiting Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan has so far held several meetings with high-ranking Iranian officials on issues of mutual interests during his trip to Tehran.

Karapetyan, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran on Monday and held talks withParliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani on Monday evening and with President Hassan Rouhani and Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh on Tuesday.

In a meeting with Karapetyan, President Rouhani urged closer cooperation with neighboring countries, Armenia in particular, to address crises and conflicts in the region.

Iran and Armenia can develop close cooperation to address the conflicts and crises that have engulfed the region, Rouhani said.

Voicing Iran�s readiness to provide Armenia with technical and engineering services, President Rouhani said his administration would encourage the private sector to invest in various fields in Armenia, such as road, housing, dam and power plant construction.

Meanwhile, Karapetyan hailed Iran�s �balanced stances� on regional issues, saying they contribute to peace and stability.

Expressing his country�s willingness to broaden ties with Iran, the Armenian premier said the two neighbors could boost economic relations by tapping into free trade zones in the border areas.

In another meeting Zanganeh and Karapetyan expressed satisfaction with �current level of cooperation in the energy sector and underlined that the two neighboring states have great opportunities for further interaction.

The two sides also discussed Meghri hydropower plant program and cooperation among Armenia, Iran and Turkmenistan.

Also in a meeting with Larijani, Karapetyan praised Iran�s balanced stances on Karabakh dispute, saying that the country�s regional stances have always meant for maintaining peace and security, adding that: "We believe that regional problem can be solved only through peaceful dialogues and we have no confidence in war and conflict.�

Larijani, for his part, said, �Iran-Armenia ties are at a high level and we will also support expansion of parliamentary, economic and political cooperation between the two nations.�

Grounds for investment in Iran and Armenia are prepared and trade ties should be developed further through proper recognition of both countries� needs.