Մատչելիության հղումներ

Iran Denies Sensitive Equipment Transfer From Armenia


By Hrach Melkumian

Speaking to reporters in Yerevan today, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Mohammad Koleineyi denied US allegation that the Armenian biochemical company "Lizin" sold sensitive equipment to his country. Earlier this month U.S. State Department announced that it had sanctioned Armenian company "Lizin", which has sold to Iran sensitive equipment that could help to build weapons of mass distraction. However, the company's major shareholder denied the charges, claiming that "Lizin" has never sold sensitive technology and equipment to Iran.

Iranian Ambassador accused the U.S. of trying to control Armenia's relation with Iran by putting "psychological pressure". "I think Iran and Armenia are developing their ties in compliance with the international law and I believe our cooperation will further strengthen", Iranian Ambassador said. Mohammad Koleineyi also said that his country will host next week a major international conference on the issues related to regional transportation. Over 30 countries will attend the conference, including Armenia. Iranian ambassador also told reporters that Armenia and Turkmenistan will discuss the implementation of joint gas transportation project in Turkmenistan when they meet later this week in Turkmenistan.

Commenting on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, Mohammad Koleineyi said that any solution of the conflict should take into consideration interests of other countries in the region. "Iran maintains good relations with all countries in the region, especially with Armenia and Azerbaijan", he said. Earlier this month US, Russian and French co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group met with Iranian diplomats in Paris to inform them about developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

Earlier this year Armenian and Iranian defense ministers signed in Yerevan a memorandum, which as they described was a beginning of a military cooperation between two countries. Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Koleineyi said that the military cooperation between Armenia and Iran will have only civilian components. "Military cooperation is not on our agenda at this time", Iranian ambassador said.
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