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Armenia-Iran: Tehran seeks deeper ties with Yerevan as West eases economic sanctions
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/52012/armenia_iran_relations_analysis
ANALYSIS | 14.02.14 | 09:46
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent
Cooperation between Armenia and Iran and its prospects have been in
the news during the passing week as the Islamic Republic's ambassador
in Yerevan hinted at the possibility of agreeing on a non-visa
regime soon.
Mohammad Reisi also made other remarkable announcements showing
Tehran's interest in developing deeper relations with Yerevan.
The Iranian economy will soon begin to recover in view of the removal
of Western economic sanctions, said Martin Cerisola, the International
Monetary Fund assistant director for its Middle East and Central Asia
department. That neighboring Iran is preparing for economic take-off
is also evidenced by the unavailability of free hotel rooms in Tehran
as representatives of the world's largest companies have occupied them.
One of the main tasks of recovering Iran is oil and gas exports to
Europe, and the best possible way is to transit fuel through Armenia
and Georgia. However, formally this proposal has not been made
yet, although at the expert level it is being actively discussed
at present. Moreover, it is noted that the best Armenian-Iranian
projects are torpedoed by Russia, for which the influx of Iranian
oil to Europe is disadvantageous.
And it is not just about oil. Armweeklynews.am, citing Iranian
newspapers, reported that Russia and Iran have agreed that Russia will
finance the construction of the railroad Astara (Azerbaijan) - Astara
(Iran) - Rasht, for which Iran will pay to Russia by oil. If true, this
would mean that Armenia once again is left out of regional projects.
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received the Iranian ambassador
on February 12. Ambassador Reisi noted that the development of
relations with Armenia is one of the priorities of the foreign policy
of Iran, and Tehran is ready to expand cooperation in bilateral
and multilateral formats in various fields, especially in terms of
energy and transit. The matter concerns building a hydropower plant in
Meghri and the third line of Armenia-Iran electric power transmission,
as well as laying the railway and an oil-pipeline.
The 12th session of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission
is due to be held in Tehran at the end of February. The ambassador
invited the Armenian premier to visit the Iranian capital. Earlier,
it was also reported that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will soon
pay a visit to Armenia.
Armenia's decision to join the Russian-led Customs Union, in fact,
deprives it of the opportunity to pursue an independent foreign and
economic policy, making it reject profitable projects that Moscow
finds to be competition to its own projects.
From: Baghdasarian
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/52012/armenia_iran_relations_analysis
ANALYSIS | 14.02.14 | 09:46
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent
Cooperation between Armenia and Iran and its prospects have been in
the news during the passing week as the Islamic Republic's ambassador
in Yerevan hinted at the possibility of agreeing on a non-visa
regime soon.
Mohammad Reisi also made other remarkable announcements showing
Tehran's interest in developing deeper relations with Yerevan.
The Iranian economy will soon begin to recover in view of the removal
of Western economic sanctions, said Martin Cerisola, the International
Monetary Fund assistant director for its Middle East and Central Asia
department. That neighboring Iran is preparing for economic take-off
is also evidenced by the unavailability of free hotel rooms in Tehran
as representatives of the world's largest companies have occupied them.
One of the main tasks of recovering Iran is oil and gas exports to
Europe, and the best possible way is to transit fuel through Armenia
and Georgia. However, formally this proposal has not been made
yet, although at the expert level it is being actively discussed
at present. Moreover, it is noted that the best Armenian-Iranian
projects are torpedoed by Russia, for which the influx of Iranian
oil to Europe is disadvantageous.
And it is not just about oil. Armweeklynews.am, citing Iranian
newspapers, reported that Russia and Iran have agreed that Russia will
finance the construction of the railroad Astara (Azerbaijan) - Astara
(Iran) - Rasht, for which Iran will pay to Russia by oil. If true, this
would mean that Armenia once again is left out of regional projects.
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received the Iranian ambassador
on February 12. Ambassador Reisi noted that the development of
relations with Armenia is one of the priorities of the foreign policy
of Iran, and Tehran is ready to expand cooperation in bilateral
and multilateral formats in various fields, especially in terms of
energy and transit. The matter concerns building a hydropower plant in
Meghri and the third line of Armenia-Iran electric power transmission,
as well as laying the railway and an oil-pipeline.
The 12th session of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission
is due to be held in Tehran at the end of February. The ambassador
invited the Armenian premier to visit the Iranian capital. Earlier,
it was also reported that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will soon
pay a visit to Armenia.
Armenia's decision to join the Russian-led Customs Union, in fact,
deprives it of the opportunity to pursue an independent foreign and
economic policy, making it reject profitable projects that Moscow
finds to be competition to its own projects.
From: Baghdasarian