OPENING OF IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE A CRUCIAL EVENT
By Ara Martirosian

AZG Armenian Daily
20/03/2007

The project of constructing an Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, origined
from the early 1990’s, the period of economic and energetic crisis
for Armenia, was finally realized yesterday, March 18, 2007. This is
a crucial and historical event for Armenia, no matter what diameter
has the pipe, what company owns its Armenian part or what attitude
have certain political powers to it.

Construction of the Iran- Armenia pipeline was the second most
important strategic move of Armenia after recovering the Nuclear
Power Plant. Armenian authorities had do work hard so as to achieve
the realization of this project, as two powers – Russia and the USA
were against it. The first – because it was the only provider of gas
and other fuel to Armenia and did not want to lose its monopoly,
the second – because Iran was considered the number 2 enemy after
Iraq and its economic success was not welcome.

The new gas line will allow Armenia to get gas from Iran and thus
diversify the energy resources of the country as well as increase its
independence from Russia. The project of a second pipeline from Iran
to Armenia, which will permit to increase Iran Armenia gas supply.

The presence of the Presidents of both the States to the opening
ceremony displays the political implication of the event. This is
Armenia’s bets chance to enhance its relations with its only reliable
neighbor, which is especially precious when Azerbaijan is trying
by all means to isolate Armenia. Iran in its turn is interested in
extending its gas market and anyhow upsetting the policy of the USA.

A wider pipeline would also provide Armenia the opportunity of becoming
a transit state, but this idea was not realized due the interests of
Russia, which would not allow a rival on the gas market of Georgia
and Ukraine.