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Iranian leader's visit to Armenia of importance to region - paper

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  • Iranian leader's visit to Armenia of importance to region - paper

    Iranian leader's visit to Armenia of importance to region - paper

    Azg, Yerevan
    4 Sep 04

    Text of Akop Chakryan's report by Armenian newspaper Azg on 4 September
    headlined "Iranian President Khatami's visit is of special importance
    to Armenia" and subheaded "It cannot but interest the South Caucasus
    republics, as well as the states which have interests in the region"

    The president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Khatami,
    will arrive in Armenia on 8 September for a two-day official
    visit. President Khatami visited Azerbaijan on 5 August and is going
    to visit Turkey by the end of September. Mohammad Khatami's visit to
    Azerbaijan is important to Armenia in terms of the Karabakh issue,
    which was discussed there, and Azerbaijan's indignation at Iran's
    pro-Armenian policy.

    We can assume that Turkey will also draw President Khatami's attention
    to these issues. Thus, Mr Khatami's visit to Turkey should also be
    viewed as being important to Armenia. First Vice-President Habibi's
    visit to Armenia in 1996 was the first ever visit by a high-ranking
    Iranian official. And now Armenia is going to host the president of
    the republic. Armenia is looking forward to maintaining closer ties
    with Iran after the visit.

    A regular session of the two countries' intergovernment commission is
    going to be held during the president's visit. Iran will be represented
    at the session by Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar
    Hoseyni. President Khatami will meet [Armenian President] Robert
    Kocharyan, make a speech in the parliament, visit Yerevan State
    University and participate in ceremonies organized for high-ranking
    officials.

    Taking into consideration Iran's influence and authority in the
    region, the president's visit should go far beyond the borders of
    Armenia. It will be important to Georgia, Azerbaijan, as well as
    Russia and Turkey. The USA should not be left off this list as it is
    Russia's rival in maintaining its influence in the South Caucasus.
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