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SERZH SARGSYAN AND IRAN'S JEALOUSY
HAKOB BADALYAN
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/27922
Comments - Thursday, 01 November 2012, 13:38
Serzh Sargsyan had a telephone conversation with the president of
Iran Mahmud Ahmadinejad. The information office of the president's
administration informs that during the conversation Sargsyan and
the president of Iran discussed the results of the meeting of the
Iran-Armenia intergovernmental commission, as well as commended the
upcoming groundbreaking ceremony of the water power plant of Meghri,
underscoring it in the Armenian-Iranian relations.
The telephone conversation between Sargsyan and Ahmadinejad is
interesting because the Iranian side expressed dissatisfaction with
the implementation of agreements on energy during the recent meeting
of the intergovernmental commission in Yerevan. The telephone talk
following the meeting implies that the dissatisfaction was significant,
and there was a need for clarification by the president.
Certainly, it is not known how Serzh Sargsyan reassured Ahmadinejad
or whether he tried to find out directly what Tehran is dissatisfied
with, what has happened that made the Iranian side express its
dissatisfaction bluntly and loudly.
Interestingly, an important U.S.-Armenian agreement has been signed in
Yerevan recently and the U.S. government has committed to supporting
prolongation of operation of the Armenian nuclear plant for another
10 years. Generally, discussions and agreement on the U.S.-Armenian
partnership over energy reached a few days before the Iran-Armenian
intergovernmental commission are unprecedented, at least in terms of
making it known to the public.
Iran is apparently jealous about these agreements and discussions.
Certainly, it is possible that jealousy was not so strong as to display
it publicly. However, Russia may be jealous for the U.S.-Armenian
cooperation.
During the conversation with Ahmadinejad Serzh Sargsyan most probably
tried to assure Tehran that the U.S.-Armenian partnership is not
aimed against Iran and there is no reason for jealousy.
Besides, there were several more interesting events beyond energy that
could be a subject for discussion between the presidents of Armenia
and Iran. Recently Serzh Sargsyan has participated in the ceremony of
opening a new air defense military unit in the south of Armenia which
will be a model military unit for the Armenian army, the sample of
future military units. Why is it being built in the south, closer to
Iran? This may cause concerns in Tehran, especially following the U.S.
navy secretary's visit to Yerevan and the U.S.-Armenian partnership
over defense industry, namely special equipment.
Armenia may need to give Tehran several more explanations on this
issue. On the other hand, this is an objective state of affairs. After
all, explanations should be given to Tehran but at the same time
Armenia cannot become Tehran's hostage regarding the strategic issue of
diversification and modernization of its security. Diversification and
improvement is the long-term strategic interest of Armenia and though
Iran is an important neighbor and partner to Armenia, the relations
with Iran cannot be a guarantee of security and development of Armenia.
Iran's risks are evident but they will not be reduced if the relations
with Armenia get complicated. Instead, Armenia with diversified and
modernized security and economy may be a reliable regional partner
to Iran in terms of reduction of those risks.
HAKOB BADALYAN
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/27922
Comments - Thursday, 01 November 2012, 13:38
Serzh Sargsyan had a telephone conversation with the president of
Iran Mahmud Ahmadinejad. The information office of the president's
administration informs that during the conversation Sargsyan and
the president of Iran discussed the results of the meeting of the
Iran-Armenia intergovernmental commission, as well as commended the
upcoming groundbreaking ceremony of the water power plant of Meghri,
underscoring it in the Armenian-Iranian relations.
The telephone conversation between Sargsyan and Ahmadinejad is
interesting because the Iranian side expressed dissatisfaction with
the implementation of agreements on energy during the recent meeting
of the intergovernmental commission in Yerevan. The telephone talk
following the meeting implies that the dissatisfaction was significant,
and there was a need for clarification by the president.
Certainly, it is not known how Serzh Sargsyan reassured Ahmadinejad
or whether he tried to find out directly what Tehran is dissatisfied
with, what has happened that made the Iranian side express its
dissatisfaction bluntly and loudly.
Interestingly, an important U.S.-Armenian agreement has been signed in
Yerevan recently and the U.S. government has committed to supporting
prolongation of operation of the Armenian nuclear plant for another
10 years. Generally, discussions and agreement on the U.S.-Armenian
partnership over energy reached a few days before the Iran-Armenian
intergovernmental commission are unprecedented, at least in terms of
making it known to the public.
Iran is apparently jealous about these agreements and discussions.
Certainly, it is possible that jealousy was not so strong as to display
it publicly. However, Russia may be jealous for the U.S.-Armenian
cooperation.
During the conversation with Ahmadinejad Serzh Sargsyan most probably
tried to assure Tehran that the U.S.-Armenian partnership is not
aimed against Iran and there is no reason for jealousy.
Besides, there were several more interesting events beyond energy that
could be a subject for discussion between the presidents of Armenia
and Iran. Recently Serzh Sargsyan has participated in the ceremony of
opening a new air defense military unit in the south of Armenia which
will be a model military unit for the Armenian army, the sample of
future military units. Why is it being built in the south, closer to
Iran? This may cause concerns in Tehran, especially following the U.S.
navy secretary's visit to Yerevan and the U.S.-Armenian partnership
over defense industry, namely special equipment.
Armenia may need to give Tehran several more explanations on this
issue. On the other hand, this is an objective state of affairs. After
all, explanations should be given to Tehran but at the same time
Armenia cannot become Tehran's hostage regarding the strategic issue of
diversification and modernization of its security. Diversification and
improvement is the long-term strategic interest of Armenia and though
Iran is an important neighbor and partner to Armenia, the relations
with Iran cannot be a guarantee of security and development of Armenia.
Iran's risks are evident but they will not be reduced if the relations
with Armenia get complicated. Instead, Armenia with diversified and
modernized security and economy may be a reliable regional partner
to Iran in terms of reduction of those risks.