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BRUSSELS THINK-TANK SAYS EMERGING ALLIANCE BETWEEN IRAN AND ARMENIA COULD "CIRCUMVENT" WESTERN SANCTIONS
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/brussels-think-tank-says-emerging-alliance-between-iran-and-armenia-could-circumvent-western-sanctions-187449231.html
BRUSSELS, January 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
A report issued by Brussels-based think tank European Strategic
Intelligence and Security Center (ESISC) places a spotlight on what
some have termed "an unholy alliance" between Islamist Iran and
Christian Armenia, an alliance that anlaysts warn could dilute the
impact of Western sanctions.
Analysts at the ESISC have also said the alliance
with Iran allows Armenia to prolong the low-density conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, where it has occupied Azeri land and refused to
withdraw its troops despite four UN resolutions.
The report points out to "the special relationship"
between Tehran and Yerevan offering Iran to "evade international
sanctions and pursue its nuclear ambitions" and offsetting the
recent efforts of the EU and the US to step up sanctions in order to
isolateIran in energy and financial sectors.
The potential sanction-busting alliance between the two neighbours also
allow Armenian goods and services "to open up to warm seas routes"
while permitting Iran "to benefit from access to the Black Sea and
to circumvent international sanctions," reads the report.
Stressing the increasing cooperation between Iran and Armenia "not only
in gas and electrictiy but also in hard industry, pharmaceuticals,
mining and petrochemicals", the report ranks Iran as the fourth
largest exporter to Armenia and refers to a future free trade area
between Tehran and Yerevan which could render Armenia's economy less
dependent on worker's remittance from Russia, loans from international
institutions and foreign assistance from the Armenian diaspora.
Attributing the strong ties between Armenia and Iran partly to the
survival of a well-integrated Armenian minority in Shiite Iran, the
report further demonstrates the increasing convergence of political,
strategic and economic interests of Armenia and Iran.
According to the report, the consolidation of Tehran and Yerevan axis
is posing a growing threat to the peace and stability in the Caucasus
preventing attempts to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
especially by maintaining the status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh since
the 1994 ceasefire.
The report argues that Iran is favoring Armenia's position as it
is opposed to "a package solution proposed by the OSCE", providing
for the deployment of a peace-keeping force which could include
Western troops. Nearly 20% of the Azerbaýjaný terrýtorýes remaýn
under occupatýon despite several UN, European Parliament and PACE
resolutýons in support of Azerbaýjan's territorial integrity.
ESISC discusses Iran's financial assistance to Islamist groups
and parties such as Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, the Jeyshullah and
Hizbullah as part of its efforts to destabilise Azerbaijan. Analysts
say Iran is displeased with Baku's role as a secular and pro-western
ally in fighting terrorism and in helping to guarantee Europe's energy
security.
SOURCE European Strategic Intelligence and Security Center (ESISC)
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/brussels-think-tank-says-emerging-alliance-between-iran-and-armenia-could-circumvent-western-sanctions-187449231.html
BRUSSELS, January 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
A report issued by Brussels-based think tank European Strategic
Intelligence and Security Center (ESISC) places a spotlight on what
some have termed "an unholy alliance" between Islamist Iran and
Christian Armenia, an alliance that anlaysts warn could dilute the
impact of Western sanctions.
Analysts at the ESISC have also said the alliance
with Iran allows Armenia to prolong the low-density conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, where it has occupied Azeri land and refused to
withdraw its troops despite four UN resolutions.
The report points out to "the special relationship"
between Tehran and Yerevan offering Iran to "evade international
sanctions and pursue its nuclear ambitions" and offsetting the
recent efforts of the EU and the US to step up sanctions in order to
isolateIran in energy and financial sectors.
The potential sanction-busting alliance between the two neighbours also
allow Armenian goods and services "to open up to warm seas routes"
while permitting Iran "to benefit from access to the Black Sea and
to circumvent international sanctions," reads the report.
Stressing the increasing cooperation between Iran and Armenia "not only
in gas and electrictiy but also in hard industry, pharmaceuticals,
mining and petrochemicals", the report ranks Iran as the fourth
largest exporter to Armenia and refers to a future free trade area
between Tehran and Yerevan which could render Armenia's economy less
dependent on worker's remittance from Russia, loans from international
institutions and foreign assistance from the Armenian diaspora.
Attributing the strong ties between Armenia and Iran partly to the
survival of a well-integrated Armenian minority in Shiite Iran, the
report further demonstrates the increasing convergence of political,
strategic and economic interests of Armenia and Iran.
According to the report, the consolidation of Tehran and Yerevan axis
is posing a growing threat to the peace and stability in the Caucasus
preventing attempts to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
especially by maintaining the status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh since
the 1994 ceasefire.
The report argues that Iran is favoring Armenia's position as it
is opposed to "a package solution proposed by the OSCE", providing
for the deployment of a peace-keeping force which could include
Western troops. Nearly 20% of the Azerbaýjaný terrýtorýes remaýn
under occupatýon despite several UN, European Parliament and PACE
resolutýons in support of Azerbaýjan's territorial integrity.
ESISC discusses Iran's financial assistance to Islamist groups
and parties such as Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, the Jeyshullah and
Hizbullah as part of its efforts to destabilise Azerbaijan. Analysts
say Iran is displeased with Baku's role as a secular and pro-western
ally in fighting terrorism and in helping to guarantee Europe's energy
security.
SOURCE European Strategic Intelligence and Security Center (ESISC)