Armenia didn’t refuse Iran-Armenia railway project: Vardan Voskanyan

“Armenia didn’t refuse Iran-Armenia railway project: the additional circle in our government has been liquidated, as respective department of respective ministry may implement this function. Despite publications in media outlets, Armenia continues keeping this project in its agenda and is seeking investments,” Vardan Voskanyan, expert in Iranian studies, told reporters today, adding that it’s not only economic, but a political project as well.

Accordingly, in his words, even under its most bankrupt conditions we should keep the project in our agenda. “It’s of paramount importance for us, it’s important from the perspective of exerting pressure over the adversary and it’s of utmost importance for Iranians as well. On presidential level Iran stated in Yerevan that this project is realistic. The only issue of the project is seeking finances, and if it fails today, it doesn’t mean that it won’t succeed tomorrow. Particularly, when according to experts the project is possible to implement within a small budget.”

The expert also considers construction of North-South road rather important, “If succeeded, Iran will implement greater part of its cargo transportations through the territory of Armenia, as it’s not at all beneficial for Iranians to use the Turkish route regarding both security and regional competition, as well as the adopted policy in the period of sanctions. This doesn’t mean that Iranians observe us as the only, exclusive and inimitable partner in this region, Iranians attempt to pursue a policy, tended to strengthen Armenia.”

By Razmik Martirosyan