Becoming transit country for Iran to improve Armenia’s security - Rudik Yaralyan
Becoming a transit country for Iran would not only afford Armenia opportunities for integration into economic processes, but also raise the level of Armenia’s security, expert in Iranian studies Rudik Yaralyan told Tert.am as he commented on Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan’s statement on discussions on the transit of Iranian gas and the results will be clear before the end of this year.
“Iran, and the states cooperating with it by means of Armenia, will attach greater importance to domestic stability in Armenia and seek to neutralize external threats to Armenia. The prospects in question are in embryo. Iran is now considering the countries it can rely on in the case of regional cooperation,” Mr Yaralyan said.
Armenia has a chance to become a major transit country for Iran.
“The most important factor is that both the sides be well aware of the task. Georgia will not object to establishing relations with Iran by means of Armenia, which would prove to be an alternative to its cooperation with Turkey and Azerbaijan, with an opportunity for a more flexible policy to Tbilisi,” Mr Yaralyan said.
He points out a need for expanding cooperation with Iran, given the fact that Armenia could turn into a major link between Russia and Iran, at least in the context of the corridor between the Black Sea and the Gulf.
The removal of sanctions against Iran and Iran’s more active regional role is now having positive impact on the processes in the south Caucasus.
“Even when Iran is not immediately involved in regional economic processes, the Iranian factor affords the South Caucasus countries an opportunity to effect transactions with third sides on more favorable terms,” Mr Yaralyan said.
Although Iran’s attitude is not absolutely positive, financial projects with Armenia require huge investments, which slows down the processes. As a result, Azerbaijan becomes more active. The expert is sure that Armenia will ever remain important to Iran.