WHEN YOUR NEIGHBOR AND ENEMY CHUM UP…

APA
April 16 2009
Azerbaijan

Armenian-Iranian economic partnership: reality or myth

No sooner had Azerbaijan got out of the tension after notorious
tittle-tattle in Turkish circles on the probability of opening borders
with Armenia, one more neighbor moved to kiss on the lips of the
aggressor country.

The question is Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan’s official visit to
the Islamic Republic of Iran.

During the visit from April 13-14, the two Presidents expressed
satisfaction with the current level of political dialogue and their
willingness to further expand intergovernmental relations.

At a meeting with Iranian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan didn’t seem to
conceal his country’s emergency need for relations with Iran.

In this regard, he thanked Iranian President for allowing essential
goods through Iran during economically hard times – in the early
years of independence and during hostilities between Russia and
Georgia in August.

The parties also focused on major infrastructure programs as the
best indication of the further expansion of the Armenian-Iranian
relations….

Under memorandums and documents signed, Export Development Bank of
Iran would open a credit line to Armenia, the parties agreed to build
a hydropower plant on the Araz River, lay a railroad between the two
countries, deliver Iranian gas to Armenia and study the prospects
of re-exporting to Europe, create Iran-Armenia-Georgia-Black Sea
Highway….

The bilateral documents appeared to be part of strengthening
Iran-Armenia-Russia triangle economically and politically against
the backdrop of well-cemented strategic partnership among Turkey,
Georgia and Azerbaijan in the region.

In favor of the formation of Iran-Russian-Armenian alliance, this
is a call for Iran to sit as an observer in the Collective Security
Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Another point is that Armenia will get Iranian gasoline and diesel
fuel refined in Tabriz, an Azeri-populated city.

In fact, the expensive joint projects, including a rail link may come
online in 3-4 years.

The railway line is believed to allow Armenia to reach the
outside world without Georgia let alone transportation and cargo
shipment. Armenia and Iran are lucky this time because this project
also interests Russia.

With Russia uninvolved, it is obvious that progress in any sphere
of economic cooperation between Armenia and Iran will willy-nilly
"hang in the air".