Garik Keryan: Azerbaijan Bids to Overcome Isolation through Iran
Azerbaijan, being under some pressure from the West, now attempts to overcome the isolation through Iran. Chair of YSU Political Institutions and Processes, political scientist Garik Keryan expressed such an opinion in an interview with “Armenpress”, referring to Aliyev’s visit to Iran.
-Mr. Keryan, conditioned by the lifting of sanctions from Iran, new opportunities emerge in the region. What new direction could you indicate in terms of Armenian-Iranian relations?
-As we know, some regional changes are explained by the lifting of sanctions from Iran. In fact, this gave Iran an opportunity to resume its ties with European states and also economically enter the South Caucasian region. Sharing no border with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan become priority partner for Iran. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are interested in bilateral cooperation with Iran.
This creates some opportunities for Armenia to alleviate the consequences of the blockade. In addition, as Russian-Iranian relations develop naturally, and Armenia, being an EAEU member state, can assume some responsibility in linking Iran with the Eurasian Economic Union. Next, Armenia has always strived to become an energy transit route by developing relations with Iran. It is a fact that Iran has a neutral stance on Nagorno Karabakh conflict and all these create the favorable atmosphere and interest for the development of Armenian-Iranian relations.
-What is the interest for Azerbaijan? It is known that the Azerbaijani President will visit Iran with a big delegation. Signing over 10 documents in a number of spheres is planned.
-Azerbaijan, being under Western criticism, and some pressure in relation with being unable to guarantee the necessary level of democracy, and banning the European institutions in Azerbaijan, tries to overcome the isolation. That isolation became particularly vivid under the light of the strain relations between Russia and Turkey.
-Anyway, Azerbaijan faces domestic instability and it has some problems with Iran on the border. And Armenia is indicated as a possible transit country. Is that possible that the aim of Aliyev’s visit is to hamper Armenia’s aspiration to become a transit country for Iran.
-In the current phase, Azerbaijan tries to persuade Iran to choose Azerbaijan instead of Armenia. I think Iran will prefer both directions, linking with diverse markets. Of course, there are some problems on the border in terms of backing nationalist movements of Azerbaijanis in Northern Iran, but the Azerbaijani diplomacy tries to smoother those issues.
