Reasons for postponement of Rouhani’s visit to Armenia are both in Yerevan and Tehran: Iranian expert

“It’s early speaking of Armenia-Iran global energy programs,” Kayhan Barzegar, Director of the Institute for Middle East Strategic Studies (IMESS) in Tehran, told 168.am, reflecting to current Armenia-Iran relations.

On November 1 upon the assignment of PM Karen Karapetyan a delegation has left for Tehran to sign a gas sale agreement with Tehran. Upon the PM’s decision to expand cooperation with National Iranian Gas Exports Company (NIGEC), the Armenian delegation will pay a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from October 30 to November 1. The delegation was headed by Hayk Harutyunyan, Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, head of board of “Energia-Impeks” CSJC. Against the background of this issue, as well as reasons for the  postponement of the Iranian president Hasan Rouhani’s forthcoming visit instigated discussions among the expert community.

Kayhan Barzegar stated that the region is in serious geopolitical tremors, which requires high cautiousness and soberness from the parties. According to the Iranian expert reasons of postponement of the visit are both in Yerevan and Tehran. “Deepening of Armenia-Iran relations, implementation of big projects, including transit of Iranian gas to Europe, however, in case of Armenia there is Russia with its monopolistic positions, and I consider work is required in Russian direction prior to such Armenia-Iran agenda development.

In case of Iran the Azerbaijani factor is existent as well, and Iranian president attempts not to worsen its relations with Azerbaijan. However, for Iran, relations with Armenia are of paramount importance, historically they have been friendly and will be such, getting along with the new realities,” Barzegar said, adding that Armenia and Iran adopt the “political environment” to deepen their relations. According to the Iranian expert serious outcomes shouldn’t be anticipated from the visit of the Armenian delegation.

“At this stage supply of Iranian gas to Armenia may also be considered a good result. At best, we may record this. Transit global programs will require extensive accords. In my opinion both countries aren’t yet ready to likewise global projects, however, in the perspective of relations it should be mandatorily implemented,” the Iranian expert concluded.

By Araks Martirosyan