RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vahram Dumanyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri. The meeting was also attended by ESCS Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan.

Welcoming the Ambassador Minister Vahram Dumanyan noted that relations, based on mutual trust and centuries-old friendship, have a great potential. Reaffirming his willingness to continue and expand the joint programs, the Minister spoke about the importance of signing new memoranda of cooperation, as well as extending the terms of existing ones, on mutual recognition of higher education qualifications and graduation documents. Highlighting Iran's experience in the field of Nanotechnologies, Minister Vahram Dumanyan also made reference to the implementation of joint educational programs in this field.

“The passing year was very difficult for Armenia, but we are confident that we will be able to overcome the difficulties caused by the war and the pandemic, and move forward on the path of development. In this regard we highly appreciate the cooperation with friend countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is multi-layered. I am sure that there are all preconditions for raising the Armenian-Iranian relations to a qualitatively new level and implementing all the programs step by step,” noted ESCS Minister Vahram Dumanyan.

Ambassador Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri, thanked for the reception, positively responded to the proposals of the ESCS Minister and underlined that the Iranian side is ready to expand the scope of cooperation. The diplomat expressed confidence that the development of education and science is reflected in other fields generally contributing to the development of the state. In this context, the Ambassador noted that the gap in the educational and scientific relations between the parties can be filled by expanding inter-university cooperation, mutual visits of university rectors, and the development of Armenian and Iranian studies in the two countries. The Ambassador also expressed his willingness to sign a comprehensive memorandum of cooperation and, in accordance with this, to outline precise steps for the development of bilateral cooperation.

“Iran has a warm attitude towards Armenia and the Armenian people and appreciates the bilateral relations. In Iran, Christian Armenians live next to Muslims, and there are many Iranian citizens in Armenia. The friendly relations between our peoples are unique, and I think that this is the best model of peaceful coexistence in history, which should be presented to the whole world, thus contributing to the prevention of violence,” noted Ambassador Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri.

Responding to the Ambassador, the ESCS Minister noted that the basis for peaceful and friendly coexistence is the deep historical and cultural ties: “A country which has a culture cannot be a threat to another country with the same values. The power of culture is beyond any weapons.”

The ESCS Minister and the Ambassador of Iran also talked about the preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories that came under the control of Azerbaijan as a result of the war. Ambassador Abbas Badakhsha Zoհօuri noted that the issue is in the center of attention of the Iranian side․

At the end of the meeting, the parties reached a preliminary agreement on creating sectoral working groups and undertaking practical steps.