Interfax - Russia & CIS Diplomatic Panorama
 Thursday 7:46 PM MSK


Armenia's ties with Iran not to affect its relations with U.S. - diplomat

YEREVAN. Aug 10

Armenia is interested in having deeper relations with Iran and is not
worried by the United States' possible reaction to this, Armenian
Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said.

"Armenia is interested in deeper relations with Iran, and we don't
look at the position of other countries on the matter. This can't have
a negative effect on Armenia's relations with the U.S.," Kocharyan
told journalists on Thursday.

Amid tensions in U.S.-Iranian relations, the U.S. has "treated our
ties with Iran with understanding, because we are honest in our
foreign policy," he said.

Kocharyan also acknowledged that U.S. sanctions against Russia may
have a negative effect on Armenia's economy.

"When the Russian economy sees negative trends, they affect all of its
neighbors. This affects EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union] member Armenia,
this affects EAEU non-member Azerbaijan, and this affects Georgia,
which is moving towards the EU. Countries that are linked to Russia in
this way or that - in terms of workforce, economic relations, or the
sale of goods - may naturally feel negative influences," Kocharyan
said.

Armenia should expand existing economic relations with EAEU countries
and other states and also build and develop ties with new countries,
he said.

"The economic component of EAEU membership is very important to
Armenia, and this also makes up the foundation of national security,"
he said.