The expert for Iranian studies thinks that once Levon Ter-Petrosyan did not make steps for the improvement of the Iran-Armenia relationship being careful not to worsen the relations with the West. “In the relationship with Iran, this was a positive, it can be also said, an independent step, but the question is to what extent the Armenian side is independent in its decisions and the agreements achieved. The main arrangements were in the energy sector, where, as you know, Russia will not allow the Armenia-Iran arrangements be expanded, especially with regard to the agreements in the gas sector, such opinion was expressed by the expert for Iranian studies, also analyst on Middle East affairs, Emma Begijanyan, in the conversation with “Aravot”, analyzing the visit of the official delegation headed by the Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Note that the mutual visits by high-ran leaders of Iran and Armenia has long been discussed, but they were not held. According to the expert for Iranian studies, the visit of the delegation headed by the Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan to Iran and the meetings with the top leadership of the country, regardless of anything, are positive. “The president of Iran has visited Baku and has been to other capitals, the visit to Armenia was delayed, but the Iranian press is reporting that after the president of Armenia, the prime minister was very well received. In all cases, Iran needs good and strong relations with strong and independent Armenia. This is an important factor, which we should always use. Though Iran outwardly is very friendly with Azerbaijan and Turkey, however, their danger always comes from Turkey and Azerbaijan. Iran and Armenia have common interests, hence, Armenia is a friendly country for Iran. And Iran is important for Armenia’s security, and vice versa,” says our interlocutor.
To the question of “Aravot” that now under this complicated regional and geopolitical situation when there is still no clarity on the Iranian nuclear issue, also Iran-US, US-Russian are in complex, even sometimes, unclear co-relationship, and Armenia signed the Eurasian Economic Union membership document, so what political perspectives the strengthening of the relations with Iran promises. Regardless of the current geopolitical situation and existing confusion, the expert for Iranian studies considers the strengthening of the Armenian-Iranian relations positive. According to the official release, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, welcoming the Prime Minister of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan’s visit to Iran, said that it may help further Armenian-Iranian relations in a wide array of spheres. “The President of Iran assured of his country’s readiness to support Armenia’s initiatives, as well implement new joint projects. Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan noted that Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union is an opportunity for our country to assume the role of a bridge between the EEU members and foreign business communities. In this context, the Prime Minister stressed that Armenia offers an investment-friendly environment to foreign investors.”
The level of reception and the official vocabulary is already considered friendly by our interlocutor. The expert for Iranian studies regrets that Armenia lost its chance to establish closer relations with Iran during the tenure of Levon Ter-Petrosyan. “There were favorable international conditions for normalizing the relations with Iran, but Levon Ter-Petrosyan, being afraid of deterioration of relations with the West, did not go for it, leaving the opportunity open. While at that time, the Liberals were in power in Russia, who were not interfering in the domestic affairs of Armenia. Now, it is however, very difficult for Armenia to make big steps independently.”
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As for the Iran-US co-relations, our interlocutor is of the opinion that they do not hinder Iran-Armenia co-relations. “Because Armenia is not a big market, and Iran cannot make large -scale investments and export products. Also, given Armenia’s blockage, the West always so to speak took a mild view of Armenia-Iran co-relations.” The expert for Iranian studies is convinced that if the “nuclear” talks have positive outcome, Iran will definitely be oriented towards the West, as the relations with Russia have some sort of binding nature. “Recently, the senior adviser to the president of Iran, who formerly was the Security Minister, announced that Russia is reluctant for the “nuclear” talks to reach a result. Of course, the Russians denied it. But this is a very important factor. If these talks do not have a positive outcome, and the Russia-West relations do not enter into a normal process, Armenia would have less opportunity to smooth its relations with Iran, both politically and economically. Although, as a factor of national security of Iran, the strong and independent Armenia was always important for Iran. This is one reason why Iran was always against deployment of any peacekeeping forces on the Karabakh line of contact.”
Nelly GRIGORYAN
