Iranian expert Emma Begijanyan on the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz road mentioned by Nikol Pashinyan
“It’s a big blow to Iran’s geopolitical position. It will be justified only if pressure is put on Armenia over the so-called corridor,” Iranian expert Emma Begijanyan told Aravot, referring to the announcements about the launch of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz road.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated during a government-National Assembly questions-and-answers session that if the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz road is launched, Armenia can become an “Armenian crossroads” for north-south and west-east routes. He also said that an agreement had been reached at the level of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the restoration and construction of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz railway, and instructions were given. According to Emma Begijanyan, agreeing to the operation of this road will be justified only if it replaces the “corridor.”
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In other cases, opening that road is not justified. She explained, “As far as I know, the Prime Minister said that this road is very important for the Armenian-Iranian economic relations. I do not accept that. We must first take into account the volume of our economic relations. Their volume is not so large. For the Iranians, first of all, the most important thing is the north-south road passing through the territory of the Republic of Armenia, the highway or the railway, because the railway was first put into circulation, then removed. At best, the Iranians are striving for that.”
These intentions and rumors are also the reason why there was activity on the Iranian side. During the events in Armenia-Iran diplomatic relations, various Iranian officials expressed the opinion that the territorial integrity of Armenia is important for Iran, and the “Zangezur corridor” is, in fact, unacceptable for them. Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohuri stated that Iran attaches great importance to communications through both Armenia and Azerbaijan. According to him, the transit road connecting the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea can create serious opportunities not only for Iran and Armenia, but also for other countries.
Iranian expert Emma Begijanyan
Emma Begijanyan commented, “Although there is a new government in Iran, they attach importance to their political line, but, nevertheless, they are well aware of their country’s geopolitical interests and are against the program, even though Azerbaijan is making great efforts to silence Iran on this issue.” Emma Begijanyan reminded on this occasion that, for example, the possible option that the reconstruction of Jrakan (Jebrail) could be handed over to Israel and Israel would be near the border with Iran was also discussed. “Now they have come to an agreement that it will be handed over to Iran, but these are not the things that can keep Iran from opposing this ‘corridor.'”
We asked Emma Begijanyan how Armenia could benefit if the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz road mentioned by Nikol Pashinyan is launched. Emma Begijanyan said that the only benefit would be if Armenia is pressured on the issue of the “corridor,” and the lesser of the two evils would be to agree to this route. We asked why the Gyumri-Meghri road is not included in the agenda, and the Iranian expert said, “It’s a matter for us and the Iranian government. This is what the Iranians want, the highway that the former stole the money from and did not build, and this government neither remembers nor speaks about it. It must be built; it is beneficial for both Iran and Armenia. Why isn’t it spoken about? We should ask the authorities.”
According to Emma Begijanyan, Iran became active when it “caught” its geopolitical and economic interests. “Until now, Turkish-Azerbaijani economic and all ties passed through Iran via Iran-Nakhichevan-Azerbaijan-Turkey. Let’s set aside the fact that they also depended on Iran. Now they won’t. Iran shares a border with Azerbaijan and Turkey, it has a road, and Iran does not need that road, which Turkey and Azerbaijan want. Iran needs a road with Armenia.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
