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Iranian studies expert: Iranian-Armenian relations develop in
atmosphere of mutual trust
18:36 02/02/2013 » INTERVIEWS
The 21st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between Armenia and Iran as well as the 34th anniversary of the 1979
Islamic revolution will be marked soon. Panorama.am held an interview
with Iranian studies expert Armen Israyelyan about Armenian-Iranian
relations, Iran's position on Karabakh and other matters.
- How would you assess the current level of Armenian-Iranian political
relations?
- In 2012, we marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between Armenia and Iran. Over the course of
these years, the two countries successfully cooperated in the fields
of energy, transport, agriculture, tourism, culture, science and in
some other fields.
High-level mutual visits take place periodically. I think bilateral
political relations develop in an atmosphere of mutual trust and there
is no problem hindering the development of bilateral political
relations. Iran and Armenia efficiently cooperate within international
organizations; the two countries have close positions on regional
issues.
- What can you say about the economic relations between Iran and Armenia?
- Commodity circulation between Iran and Armenia amounts to about $500
million, with the officials from both countries aiming to double this
figure - up to $1 billion. Since Armenia's independence, the two
countries have implemented a number of big economic projects. The most
important of them was perhaps the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.
The foundation laying ceremony of Meghri hydropower plant took place
last year, attended by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. The
construction projects of Iran-Armenia railway, North-South Road
Corridor and oil pipeline are on the governments agenda.
- What is Iran's position on Karabakh?
- As an authoritative member of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation, Iran has a balanced policy towards Karabakh conflict
settlement, which creates a precedent for a number of Islamic
countries not to give way to Azerbaijan's provocations aimed at giving
a religious coloring to Karabakh conflict, and to have a neutral
position on Karabakh.
Although Iran's President and Foreign Minister state that Karabakh
conflict should be solved through negotiations based on the
fundamental principles of international law, Iran's newly appointed
ambassador to Azerbaijan periodically makes statements running counter
Tehran's official position, which is perceived by the Iranian embassy
in Armenia as a `personal position.'
Iran thinks the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group are inefficient,
with Tehran offering mediation to the conflicting parties.
- What can you say about the condition of Iranian Armenians?
- The Armenian community plays a big role in the strengthening and
development of Iranian-Armenian relations. According to Iran's
Constitution, the Armenian community is a religious minority, with two
of its members represented in Majlis. Armenian churches, historical
monuments and educational centers are under the protection of Iran's
government.
Although after the 1978-79 Islamic revolution the Armenian community
of Iran was given exclusive rights and opportunities, unfortunately,
due to objective and subjective reasons, the number of Iranian
Armenians has been decreasing in recent years.
Source: Panorama.am
atmosphere of mutual trust
18:36 02/02/2013 » INTERVIEWS
The 21st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between Armenia and Iran as well as the 34th anniversary of the 1979
Islamic revolution will be marked soon. Panorama.am held an interview
with Iranian studies expert Armen Israyelyan about Armenian-Iranian
relations, Iran's position on Karabakh and other matters.
- How would you assess the current level of Armenian-Iranian political
relations?
- In 2012, we marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between Armenia and Iran. Over the course of
these years, the two countries successfully cooperated in the fields
of energy, transport, agriculture, tourism, culture, science and in
some other fields.
High-level mutual visits take place periodically. I think bilateral
political relations develop in an atmosphere of mutual trust and there
is no problem hindering the development of bilateral political
relations. Iran and Armenia efficiently cooperate within international
organizations; the two countries have close positions on regional
issues.
- What can you say about the economic relations between Iran and Armenia?
- Commodity circulation between Iran and Armenia amounts to about $500
million, with the officials from both countries aiming to double this
figure - up to $1 billion. Since Armenia's independence, the two
countries have implemented a number of big economic projects. The most
important of them was perhaps the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.
The foundation laying ceremony of Meghri hydropower plant took place
last year, attended by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. The
construction projects of Iran-Armenia railway, North-South Road
Corridor and oil pipeline are on the governments agenda.
- What is Iran's position on Karabakh?
- As an authoritative member of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation, Iran has a balanced policy towards Karabakh conflict
settlement, which creates a precedent for a number of Islamic
countries not to give way to Azerbaijan's provocations aimed at giving
a religious coloring to Karabakh conflict, and to have a neutral
position on Karabakh.
Although Iran's President and Foreign Minister state that Karabakh
conflict should be solved through negotiations based on the
fundamental principles of international law, Iran's newly appointed
ambassador to Azerbaijan periodically makes statements running counter
Tehran's official position, which is perceived by the Iranian embassy
in Armenia as a `personal position.'
Iran thinks the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group are inefficient,
with Tehran offering mediation to the conflicting parties.
- What can you say about the condition of Iranian Armenians?
- The Armenian community plays a big role in the strengthening and
development of Iranian-Armenian relations. According to Iran's
Constitution, the Armenian community is a religious minority, with two
of its members represented in Majlis. Armenian churches, historical
monuments and educational centers are under the protection of Iran's
government.
Although after the 1978-79 Islamic revolution the Armenian community
of Iran was given exclusive rights and opportunities, unfortunately,
due to objective and subjective reasons, the number of Iranian
Armenians has been decreasing in recent years.
Source: Panorama.am