IRAN NEGATIVE ABOUT TURKISH ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.02.2009 20:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The thaw in Armenian-Turkish relations is undoubtedly
a positive move for both countries, an Armenian expert said.

For Armenia, it’s alternative communications. For Ankara, it’s
a tool to influence Yerevan’s political decisions. Witnessing
the developments, Iran will itself put forward various stability
platforms," Eduard Abrahamyan, expert at Mitq analytical center,
told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Ankara’s determination to interfere into the Karabakh process is one
of Tehran’s concerns, according to him.

"If Turkey takes up Karabakh, not only Armenia but also Iran will
lose. Surrender of the territories adjacent to Iran will cause extra
ethnic-political conflicts for Iran. It’s not a secret that Iran
experiences problems with Azeris and that the Karabakh regions near
Araks River constitute a natural obstacle for Azeri consolidation,"
Abrahamyan said, adding that Iranian religious and political elite
eyes Turkey as major military, political and religious rival.

"It’s not surprising that Tehran will give a hostile reception to
any Turkish regional initiative," he said.

"We should also keep in mind that the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation
would be welcomed by Tbilisi. It’s obvious, that obtaining alternative
economic routes, the Armenian leadership will not change its policy
toward Georgia," Abrahamyan concluded.