Vardan Voskanyan, an expert on Iranian studies, about forming a free economic zone with Iran
“The Armenian-Iranian recent developments are extremely important,” – said the expert on Iranian studies, also Head of the Iranian Chair of YSU Oriental Studies, Vardan Voskanyan, in an interview with “Aravot”. Our interlocutor is referring to the cancellation of the visa regime with Iran and the establishment of a free economic zone in Meghri region. Back in mid-August, during his visit to the Meghri region, the customs officers informed RA Prime Minister that the passengers’ traffic has been substantially increased as a result of lifting the visa regime with Iran. RA Prime Minister had instructed to minimize the time needed for passengers’ cargo transportation thru the customs border, to carry out the crossings more smoothly and quickly, and to improve the quality of services provided. As for the free economic zone, the RA government expects that it will make the trade and industrial policy with Iran substantial, will promote the deepening and expansion of bilateral economic ties, specific services will be developed that will enable free access to the Eurasian Economic Union and Iranian markets without obstacles. It is supposed to organize new production, export, the establishment of processing enterprises. All this, of course, also assumes new jobs.
To the question of whether these initiatives are not belated as being one of the closest countries to Iran geographically, Armenia is one of the least to strengthen ties, in the case when our neighbor and rival Azerbaijan is already implementing various projects with Iran, Vardan Voskanyan replied, “Iran-Armenia, Iran-Azerbaijan relations, if we compare, we need to distinguish chaff from the wheat.” In Azerbaijani-Iranian relations, according to him, rhetoric dominates completing or to be completed projects. And in this sense, he believes that the Iran-Armenia relations are at a higher level, especially in the political relations. “Even in the economic sphere, if we leave aside the fact that Azerbaijan has more financial resources and at the expense of their transposition, Azerbaijan is able to handle certain problems in its economy, then the Armenian-Iranian economic relations should be estimated as satisfactory,” – said our interlocutor. Incidentally, our interlocutor considers the cancellation of the visa regime an indicator of high trust between the two countries and the peoples. “Just a year has been passed after the lifting of sanctions against Iran, and during this one year, Armenia is implementing several important projects. Moreover, if we leave aside the so-called smaller areas and consider only big projects, then they are not few: high-voltage energy line construction project, where the works are underway. After the construction of this line, it is expected to have at least threefold increase in the volume of Iranian gas to Armenia, for which we have to supply the same amount of electricity to Iran. Next comes the pilot project of exporting gas to Georgia via Armenia, which is greatly important, and a special organization has been established in Armenia for its implementation. If we open the brackets a little bit, this organization is going to be engaged in the sale of Iranian gas not only in Georgia but also in the third countries,” – said the expert on Iranian studies. Regarding the Iran-Armenia free economic zone, Vardan Voskanyan noted that its speculation refers not only to the economic interests and cooperation between the two countries, “It actually ensures the EaEU-Iran relations. The possibly quick and efficient implementation of this issue could have serious importance for the Republic of Armenia as a link between Iran and the EaEUnion.”
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As our interlocutor observes, the Armenian side should quickly be able to exert serious efforts and regulate communications, in particular, the issues of roads: “We are badly in need of possibly rapid construction of North-South highway. It will enable to implement the Iranian cargo transportation to north thru the territory of Armenia. In other words, actually to become a major corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea. Next comes the fund raising for the Armenia-Iran railway.”
This issue, in fact, was recently discussed in the framework of the high-ranking Chinese delegation’s visit to Armenia. “We must speed up the works in these areas as much as possible, in addition to the quality. Only the North-South highway is essential not only in terms of economic interests of Armenia but also in political and geopolitical senses. Armenia linking the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf may have a completely different geopolitical weight not only in our region but also in the world that the significance, which we have today,” – stressed our interlocutor meaning the increase of Armenia’s weight in the Armenian-Georgian relations.
Hence, according to him, Armenia can become an alternative for Georgia in terms of coming out of the Azerbaijan-Turkey dependence. In his opinion, it may become a leverage of certain influence for Armenia in a country that is of vital importance for us. “Therefore, the issues of the roads for Armenia’s political elite and society should have a priority significance. Displaying sluggishness and ineffective expenditures of funds in this area are inexcusable. This field requires more operative and effective management,” – concluded our interlocutor.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
“Aravot”
