ARMENIA, IRAN’S JOINT INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS MAY PROVE TEST OF PRESIDENT OBAMA’S POLICY
PanARMENIAN.Net
26.01.2009 16:53 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Plans for joint infrastructure projects between
Armenia and Iran may prove a key first test of President Barack Obama’s
policy intentions toward Tehran and Armenia’s own economic muscle
amidst the global economic crisis. Analysts note that international
reactions to the projects could prove a blessing.
On the drawing board are a railroad between Iran and Armenia, an oil
pipeline from Iran’s Tabriz refinery to a special terminal to be built
in Armenia’s Ararat province, and a hydropower station on the Araks
river, which borders the two countries. Bringing Armenian-Iranian
trade relations into sync with World Trade Organization requirements
is also under consideration.
The Armenian government expects work on the railroad to begin by
late 2009. Potential financial and political difficulties, however,
mean that opinions vary about the projects’ feasibility.
China was invited to take part in construction of the Iran-Armenia
railroad during a December 2008 visit by an Armenian parliamentary
delegation to China. Beijing is reportedly considering the proposal,
Iran Daily reports.