The expert in Iranian Studies believes that the Iran-Azerbaijan plans cannot compete with Iran-Armenia plans
Recently, pretty warm words are often voiced about the Armenian-Iranian relations but no practical steps were visible. In this sense, perhaps the current government opponents were right. However, the First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Eshaq Jahangiri’s visit to Armenia, his statements made in Armenia seem to be changing the situation. Eshaq Jahangiri’s visit demonstrated Armenia’s political and economic importance for the neighboring country under this sophisticated geo-political moment, with which Armenia had a positive development in relations since independence.
Expert in Iranian Studies, Rudik Yaralyan, considers objective that so far the Armenian-Iranian relations were at the level of words, the current economic sanctions against Iran were largely preventing Iran to be able to develop relations with regional and remote countries. “Iran was not free in banking transactions, hence, Armenia could not plan and carry out transactions with Iran, which were strategically important projects,” said the expert in Iranian studies in the conversation with “Aravot”. It refers to the “North-South” highway, the Iran-Armenia railway, as well as other energy projects. Today, on the background of lifting the sanctions against Iran, the situation is different. There is an unprecedented opportunity to intensify the economic policy.
Everything is a matter of just the time and the near future. “Also, in this sense, I highly appreciate the visit of the Eshaq Jahangiri to Armenia. This once again proved the fact that Armenia for Iran is an important player for Armenia in the region,” said our interlocutor, adding that in his deep conviction, it could not be otherwise. Given the existence of the Turkey-Azerbaijan tandem and a number of geopolitical realities, Armenia will always have a special role for Iran, Iran will always be interested in developing far-reaching projects with Armenia and in implementing them.
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“The third Armenia-Iran high-voltage transmission line program, which had some difficulties for a certain period, has resumed as a result of the RA Prime Minister’s visit to Iran and the agreements obtained and the efforts, and we are confident that within a short period of time, we will be able to finish the construction works,” announced Eshaq Jahangiri in Yerevan. There are rumors that the construction of the third high-voltage transmission line will last two years and will end in 2017.
As long as the sanctions against Iran are not lifted completely, the expert believes that some changes or delays may be with the timing. “The Iran-related geopolitical processes are still underway, much depend on Iran too. After the complete lifting of the sanctions, we should anticipate that Iran-Armenia projects will become a reality in a very short time frame”. The construction of the railway, naturally, has a unique role in the Armenia-Iran plans, around which there are specific arrangements, one of Chinese companies is willing to finance 60 percent of the project. “Given the fact that both Iran and Russia, which is also a stakeholder in the project, have some financial problems, the Chinese company’s interest somehow changes the situation. It allows us to conclude that it is no longer a project but a realistic plan,” said the expert, adding that Eshaq Jahangiri’s visit to Armenia can be estimated is another step forward, also in terms of the implementation of this project.
Note that at the Iran-Armenia business forum hosted in Yerevan, Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri announced that Armenia is viewed as the only EaEU member country for Iran, which can become a platform for the Iranian products to export to EaEU countries. The expert in Iranian studies gives much importance to the Armenian-Iranian business forum. “The component of mutual investments is also far-reaching. In the near future, we can expect a significant increase in investment by Iran. These issues are gradually resolved, and the once voiced warm words about the Armenian-Iranian relations are already substantial and visible.”
To the observation that very recently, Iran signed an agreement with Azerbaijan, which suggests finishing the Iranian-Azerbaijani railways connecting project by the end of 2016, Rudik Yaralyan countered, “This project could become a reality, however, it cannot be a competitor of our project. Excessively great volume of commodity turnover is expected by the Iran-Armenia railway. According to some rumors, it is about 18-26 million tons per year. The project implemented with Azerbaijan assumes just 5 million tons of load.”
Nelly GRIGORYAN
