Armenia’s Security Council Secretary, Armen Grigoryan, met with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Ali Shamkhani, on Sunday.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the security situation in the region and bilateral Armenian-Iranian relations and development prospects, the Armenian Security Council said in its readout. 

Armenian Security Council chief Armen Grigoryan underscored the longstanding relations between Tehran and Yerevan and expressed the Armenian government’s strong commitment to deepen further and expand cooperation with Iran. He emphasized that this is a top priority in Armenia’s foreign policy agenda. Among other things, Armen Grigoryan highlighted the significance of the electricity and gas swap projects to Turkmenistan in bilateral relations. He emphasized the need to expedite bilateral economic projects for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani highlighted the historical relations and cultural ties between Iran and Armenia. He emphasized that the sustainability and strength of the political and economic ties between the two countries are significant features of the friendly relationship between Tehran and Yerevan.

“Peaceful coexistence and shared efforts aimed at elimination of regional tensions by resorting to peaceful methods are the Islamic Republic of Iran's emphatic proposals to all sides in conflicts,” he reiterated.

Shamkhani expressed his concern that any geographical changes in the Southern Caucasus region would only lead to increased tension in the region, which is not in the interest of any country. He stated that such changes would play into the hands of the enemies. He emphasized the need to avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the Caucasus.