The RA Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan received the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran headed by the Governor of Iran’s Gilan province Mohammadali Najafi. The meeting was also attended by Seyyed Kazem Sajjad, the Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia.

 

“The relations between Armenia and Iran are at a high level in the field of agriculture, many Iranian and joint companies operate in our country, effective cooperation is established in the field of sheep breeding and export of mutton. Several slaughterhouses have recently been opened in our country, where the slaughter is carried out with “halal” rules. However, the full potential of cooperation between the two countries is still not fully used and needs to take appropriate measures in this regard “, Sergo Karapetyan said, welcoming the guests.

 

Stressing that Armenia’s joining the Eurasian Economic Union and the lifting of sanctions against Iran have created favorable conditions for various industries, including for deepening and expanding ties in the field of agriculture, the Minister pointed out areas in which we can launch a successful and efficient cooperation. In this context, the Minister noted in particular the sectors of livestock, fisheries, processing, development of greenhouses and attached special importance to the organization of crayfish production at the prospect of selling and exporting the product in the other EEU countries. The Iranian side proposed to consider the implementation of joint projects in the field of silkworm cultivation. The Minister, in turn, offered to jointly explore the possibilities of implementing the proposal.

 

Brief introducing the current state of agriculture in the province of Gilan, Mohammadali Najafi for his part stressed that it features an especially high-quality rice, tea, olive and fishery products. Expressing confidence that these products may have high demand in the market of the EEU, the Governor noted that Armenia can serve as a suitable platform for organizing exports.

 

In order to make bilateral cooperation more substantial the Governor also proposed to create a joint working group to examine possible ways of bilateral cooperation in agriculture. Welcoming the proposal, the Minister expressed confidence that the ties of Gilan province and the Ministry of Agriculture will be put on a firmer basis and will be mutually beneficial and fruitful.

 

In conclusion, the Minister asked the Ambassador to convey invitation to his Iranian counterpart to visit Armenia.

 

 

Division of Information and Public Relations of

 the RA Ministry of Agriculture

 

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