Armenia’s Agriculture Ministry not discussing rent of Syunik pastures to Iran

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture is not discussing the issues related to  the rent of pastures in Armenia’s Syunik region to Iran, agriculture minister Sergo Karapetyan said Thursday at the government briefing.

Earlier Iranian mass media reported that an agreement is expected to be signed during the visit of head of Syunik region of Armenia to Eastern Azerbaijan province of Iran. Under the alleged document, Syunik 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. 

“This issue should be discussed on the government level. Today, there is no matter like that. If we receive a proposal, we will review it,” the minister said.

He also noted, in compliance with Armenia’s legislature, a foreign country can rent territories in Armenia.

Iranian ambassador to Armenia, Mohammad Reisi, denied earlier in February Armenia and Iran agreed on the pasture renting. 

According to Armenian ministry of agriculture, there are 1.118 million hectares of pasture, but only their 30 percent are used effectively.  -0-