TEHRAN (Alik)–A delegation led by ARF Bureau member Hrant Markarian met with the Islamic Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and the National Security committee President of the Islamic Parliament Mirdamadi. ARF Bureau member Albert Ajemian–Dr. Levon Davtian and Georgik Abrahamian–Armenian members of the Islamic Parliament–were also part of the delegation.
Mirdamadi expressed his satisfaction in meeting with the delegation. During the meeting–Markarian spoke of the internal political life of Armenia and explained the role of the Armenian Parliament and the ARF faction within the parliament. Also discussed was the recent recognition of the Armenian Genocide by European countries–and the latest steps taken at resolving the Karabakh conflict. Mirdamadi underlined the inter-parliamentary ties existing between Armenia and Iran and stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations–in terms of political and economic spheres.
Mirdamadi noted that Iranian foreign policy is aimed at neutralizing hostilities in the region. He said present economic-political relations between the two countries were satisfactory and stressed the need to increase bilateral cooperation.
The committee president told the delegation he was familiar with the ARF and its activities in the past. He stressed the important role the ARF has had and continues to have in strengthening Iranian-Armenian relations.
The efforts of Dr. Levon Davtian–president of the Iran-Armenia parliamentary group–were recognized by Mardamadi–who said "We believe relations should not be limited to the intergovernmental level alone and should include parliamentary–non-governmental organizations–political parties–and cultural exchanges.
The activities of the Iranian-Armenian community were also praised by Mirdamadi–who believes in the community’s role in improving ties between Armenian and Iran. Towards the end of the meeting–an agreement was reached to regularize inter-parliamentary and inter-factional meetings.
Markarian went on to visit the Armenian embassy in Tehran where he met with Ambassador Gegham Gharibjanian and cultural attach Edward Ghomshian. The present state of Armenian-Iranian relations was discussed and ideas were exchanged on the development of future relations.