The presence of terrorists in the region is a serious threat to both Armenia and Iran, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Gagik Ghalechyan said in an interview with Armenpress.
“This has been repeatedly voiced by high-ranking officials of the two countries. Unfortunately, Turkey and Azerbaijan do not discriminate between means to advance their aggressive policy and are consistently taking steps to turn our region into a hotbed of terrorism. It is natural that the situation in the region poses challenges to the security of the two countries, and those should be kept in the focus of attention,” the Deputy FM said.
He said unblocking of transport route in the region and namely the possible establishment of rail communication between Armenia and Iran would positively impact the development of trade and economic relations.
“The Iranian side has expressed readiness to carry out the necessary work, which will allow establishing a railway connection from the Iran’s border to Yerevan. At the same time, road transport links with Iran through the territory of Syunik region and the development of relevant infrastructure continue to be of strategic importance for Armenia and Iran,” Ghalechyan said.
As for Azerbaijan and Turkey’s proposal to create a six-party platform of cooperation in the region, the Deputy FM said, “the Armenian authorities have always been in favor of stability, peace and cooperation in the region, and to this day they are consistent in their steps in that direction.” However, he stressed, for its effective operation, it is first necessary to “create an atmosphere of trust, which is clearly lacking among the countries of the region.”
“In the “author” countries of this proposal, Azerbaijan and Turkey, the level of anti-Armenianism is setting new “records Dozens of Armenian prisoners of war are still in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan has occupied the territories of Artsakh, and the destruction of Armenian historical and cultural values continues in Turkey. After all, no diplomatic relations have been established with the two countries,” Gagik Ghalechyan stressed.
He emphasized that “Armenia does not consider that the results of Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh can be a basis for local peace.”
“As Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian noted during the meeting with his Iranian counterpart, only lasting peace meeting everyone’s interests in the region where there are no “winners and losers” can create real guarantees for promoting stability and security in the region,” the Deputy FM said.
“As for the further development of the region in the conditions of new realities, Armenia’s vision is unchanged, it is aimed at deepening and expanding relations with friendly countries and resolving the existing conflicts,” he added.
