YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Meeting in Yerevan–Armenian Prime Minister Armen Darbinian and Iranian Deputy Transport Minister Masoud Khansari agreed that a new road turning across Armenia to Georgia’s Black Sea ports would boost commerce between Iran and Europe benefiting other regional states–the press service of the Armenian government reported.
The idea to built the highway was floated last summer after an Armenian-American billionaire–Kirk Kerkorian–pledged $85 million for its Armenia’section–during a first visit to his historical homeland.
Yerevan has said it will seek additional funds from European Union for the project which it claims is backed by Georgia.
Darbinian and Khansari on Wednesday decided to form a "joint working group" that will "coordinate the Iranian side’s participation" in the construction work.