“Armenia should attempt to advance its interests, also by showing teeth to Russia”
Interview with Hovhannes Igityan, member of Armenian National Movement (ANM), former chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. Igityan, the agreement on transportation of Iranian gas through the territory of Armenia has been signed recently. What will Armenia benefit from it?
At least transportation of Iran-Armenia-Georgia gas through a transit route, is a crucial event, at least as a first step, as I believe, trade relations with Iran linked to oil, and in particular, gas, may develop in future. Here, of course, Russia may be a big obstacle both politically and legally. All the responsibilities, which Armenia is assumed towards Russia linked to gas monopoly, I think, may prevent, but as it’s said, it’s not a mountain and may be surmounted, find legal possibilities, or why not, if Russia considers Armenia its strategic ally, we may always review the hindrances, which Russia considers are existent or they really exist.
It’s known that the diameter of Armenia-Iran gas pipeline is small to provide transit, and it was constructed small under Russian pressure. Should a new pipeline be constructed now?
Yes, a new gas pipeline should be constructed. Of course, unfortunately, lots of politicians in Armenia at that time attempted to attach the attention of Armenia’s authorities, that the pipeline with bigger diameter should continue from Iran to Armenia. However, we have what we have, this pipeline scarcely satisfies to Armenia-Iran gas-energy relations. But if we touch upon large volumes, the issue should be reviewed and a pipeline should be constructed with the needed diameter, as economically it’s rather useful for Armenia, Georgia and Iran. I can’t understand what issue Russia may have here.
Why at that time Armenia’s authorities didn’t oppose to Russian pressure in construction of the pipeline?
Russia considered, that this pipeline was directed against it, i.e. at that time not only the possibility of transportation to Iran, but possible transportation from Asian countries to Europe. The pipeline should have started from Iran, then reach to Europe through Armenia, Georgia, bottom of the Black Sea, and if the pipeline was large, Russia thought it could be its considerable contestant. And this was the reason that Russia found Kocharyan’s sore spot and obliged that the diameter was twice smaller, than it’ll be possible to construct, and this pipeline wasn’t used in any way, and there was no any competition for Russia. It was an EU project, in which it was good that Armenia was involved together with Georgia and Iran, however, Russia made that decision and succeeded to exert pressure over Armenia’s authorities.
And now what do you think, will it be possible to construct the pipeline with necessary diameter, and finally transport Iranian gas to Europe? Won’t Russia prevent this time?
It seems to me here the mentality and psychology of our authorities should be changed. The April war, selling of Russian armaments to Azerbaijan, all these show that by unconditionally coaxing Russia does no benefit to Armenia, and Russia should be treated as a partner. Thus, the claim should be introduced to Russia, if Armenia considers itself an independent country, then it should think of its own interests. Look, even some activities of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and even Belarus, which Russia obviously perceives as hostile, but doesn’t damage through any negative activities, just the contrary, attempts to please them. For instance, Azerbaijan openly stated in Ukraine, that Russia occupies the Crimea, and after that Russia didn’t punish, just the opposite—proposed new projects. Armenia should attempt to advance its interest, and if obstacles are available, it should attempt to solve them, of course, through negotiations, if not, showing teeth to some extent.
Mr. Igityan, some European analysts express the viewpoint that Russia periodically creates obstacles to the possible gas transit to Europe from Iran, in particular, in the Crimea, the Georgian war in 2008, the April war on Armenia-Azerbaijan border. These developments to some extent are an implication of Russian jealousy, intolerance of Iranian competition in Europe. Do you agree with this?
Yes, firstly, Russia observes contestants everywhere, secondly, in some cases the projects don’t damage Russia, but the latter prevents them, as it doesn’t like any projects, where it’s not the initiator and an active participant, and always threats them cautiously and with suspicion. And this is the case, when Russia has no any direct connection. Moscow cautiously and even with jealousy treats these projects, which, in its opinion, are developing in its zones of influence. Russia continues observing Armenia, even Georgia and Iran as its territories. In the period of sanctions Russia was rather close to Iran, if not the only partner, and now in some cases Russia considers Iran as its zone of influence and its territory.
By Gayane Khachatryan
