Armenian MP happy about Iran’s position on Karabakh conflict

Ayots Ashkar, Yerevan
19 Jul 06

Excerpt from Vaan Vardanyan report by Armenian newspaper Ayots Ashkar
on 19 July entitled "The Armenian-Iranian relations"

An interview with the leader of the RPA [Republican Party of Armenia]
parliamentary faction, Galust Saakyan. He commented on the results
of the recent visit of the Armenian parliamentary delegation to Iran.

[Correspondent] Mr Saakyan, what was the purpose of the visit of the
parliamentary delegation to Iran? Who did you meet there? What issues
did you discuss?

[Saakyan] Members of the Armenia-Iran interparliamentary friendship
group in the National Assembly visited Iran at the invitation of
the Iran-Armenia parliamentary friendship group. Its purpose was to
discuss the current state of our relations and prospects of them. I
do not remember any visit of the parliamentary delegations held at
such a high level. We had meetings at standing commissions of the
Iranian Majlis, met speaker of parliament, discussed wide-ranging
issues of mutual interest, including economic ones.

Naturally, we also met representatives of the Armenian community of
Iran and once again were convinced that Iran’s state policy towards
ethnic Armenians is very positive. Our Iranian counterparts emphasized
correct position of the Armenian community in relations with the state.

[Correspondent] What positive steps may be expected in development
of mutual relations in the near future?

[Saakyan] Both the Iranian side and we stressed that there were all
the grounds for the development of normal relations. We do not have
religious, ethnic, political or other disagreements which may create
extra problems for cooperation. This was general position of our
delegation although the opposition representatives were also involved
in it.

[Passage omitted: the names of the opposition representatives]

As for the prospects, the Iranian side thinks that the implementation
of all joint big projects are of great significance. They proved
once again that they are ready to complete the construction of the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline by the end of this year. The Iranian side
is concerned about the issue as we shall return consumed gas prices
with electricity which Iran needs today and Armenia has relevant
capacity. Iran is also concerned at transportation via the territory
of Armenia towards Georgian ports and then to Ukraine, western Russia
and Europe. We also discussed the importance of taking advantage of
Iranian communication system and using it for Armenia’s needs. Our
Iranian counterparts believe it is highly important if we create
normal legislative guarantees for the Iranian business in Armenia. Some
problems in the banking system should also be settled.

It was mentioned several times during the meetings that the documents
signed during the visit replenished the necessary legal and contractual
basis. At present wider prospects are being opened in the field of
economic relations.

In general, there is big unrealized potential in the Armenian-Iranian
relations which should be exploited.

[Correspondent] Did you discuss the Karabakh issue? What is Iran’s
current position on this issue?

[Saakyan] Iran’s position remains balanced and we think it is
normal. We discussed the issue and said that it was not the religious
conflict, and Iran sees the settlement only on the basis of mutual
agreements between the parties to the conflict. This is really an
impartial position if we take into account that anyway Azerbaijan is
a Muslim state.

But I should say that apprehensions over Azerbaijan are not so much
favourable in Iran. Over the meetings, our Iranian partners mentioned
that they watch Azerbaijan as a factor which may be used by the USA
to cause problems to Iran’s security.