Armenia and Iran have not signed any document on pasture lease

YEREVAN, December 28. /ARKA/. There is no any agreement between Armenia and Iran about rent of pastures in Siunik in exchange for Iranian agricultural machinery, Armenian minister of territorial administration and vice premier of Armenia Armen Gevorgyan told a press conference Friday.

Earlier Iranian mass media reported that an agreement is expected to be signed during the visit of head of Siunik region of Armenia to Eastern Azerbaijan province of Iran. Under the alleged document, Siunik region was to lease pastures for some 5,000 cow head from the province of Eastern Azerbaijan in exchange for agricultural equipment produced in the province.

“At the moment there is no such a document in circulation. These kinds of proposals are brought up and discussed from time to time, not only in relation to Siunik region, but to lease of pastures in other regions as well. No such agreement exists,” Gevorgyan said.

The minister also said that governor of Siunik has not travelled to Iran yet.

“If such agreements are made, we will notify immediately,” the minister said adding that Armenia needs all its pastures, and efforts will be made to efficiently use the pastures for ensuring local community budget receipts.

According to the ministry of agriculture, only 30% of overall 1 million 118,000 hectares of Armenian pastures is used efficiently.  -0-