“In project connecting the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea Armenia should negotiate with Iran without promotion of Russian policy”

Interview with Movses Keshishyan, editor-in-chief of “Araks” weekly, analyst.

Mr. Keshihsyan, recently two Iranian ministers made noteworthy statements. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s Foreign Minister, again stated during his visit to Georgia that Tehran is going to establish a transport corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea. “To bring into life this idea cooperation of Iran, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan is necessary,” Zarif said. What role does Iran anticipate for Azerbaijan in these projects?

In statements provided in Iranian press there is no any mention of Baku’s participation in that project. Iran uses Azerbaijan’s name while generally reflecting to the South Caucasus as one integrity. However, when roads are meant, Iran singles out two directions, first of which is Iran-Armenia-Georgia-Black Sea road—North-South, and in parallel Azerbaijani road is being touched upon as another branch for communication. However, Azerbaijan’s participation in the corridor connecting the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea isn’t observed, this is a project, in which Armenia and Georgia should participate.

How realistic is implementation of this project today on account of Iran-USA relations, Armenia’s relations with Russia and its passive policy in North-South?

This is a rather realistic project. Finally, Iran, as a big state, intends to have alternative roads, if Turkish or Iraqi roads are dangerous for Iran, the latter strives to have Armenia-Georgia-Black Sea road, from where it can peacefully come to the West, it interests Iran. At the same time this doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t want other roads or won’t use them. By the way, any project is realistic, when there are clear interests in it, the interest of Armenia and Iran to appear in Europe is obvious, so it’s necessary to show will not only toward coming to Europe, but also Eurasian economic market, as the Iranian side may reach Eurasian market by this very way, besides Turkmenistan.

They should strive to find shorter roads, which will have an effect on cost price of the goods, economic and political ties will be strengthened between the countries, which should participate in this project. I consider the Armenian side perfectly realizes that it’ll be an alternative for the latter as well. It’ll become a way to work today, Armenia will become a bridge to Europe and Russia, from which automatically the Armenian state will activate and strengthen.

There is no country with weak economy, but with strong policy and army, they are interrelated. Armenia has immense debts now and an exit is strengthening of economy, if there is such an aspiration by the Armenian government, they should strive to operate that road and pursue stabile policy to that end. As for the West, it welcomes this project and will support it.

How do you explain current slowness of the Armenian side regarding construction of North-South if you state that there is realization of interest?

Fair system should function in Armenia. By saying fair system I didn’t mean the judicial system only, I mean the system—the policy, economy, monopolies, providing monopoly to a third state. Armenia will continue suffering big political and economic losses, if it fails to “move freely”, in that case it’s clear that it won’t be able to dictate its policy on the border as well. To keep Artsakh strong we need a more powerful and fair, independent policy. Naturally, there are interests of other countries as well, they attempt to push forward their interests, here the Turkish side and the Russian side would like to exert their own policy, the Armenian side needs to decide how to bring the country independently to the coast with correct policy, where the country will have opportunities for development.

Do you mean Russian influence by saying external monopolies?

I consider, there is Russian influence, it mandatorily exists, such an influence couldn’t but exist, however the issue here is Armenia’s independent policy, it should be able to have its position despite that influence. It’s clear that Russia is a global power, it has its interests in the region, in particular, on account of economic monopolies it has in Armenia.

Finally we should be able to reach to the point that we sat around a table with Iran without Russia, without developing Russian policy, in particular, it should be done regarding the project connecting the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea. It’ll be positive both for Armenia-Iran and Armenia-Russia relations.

Recently Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan stated that mediation of third countries in NK conflict is impermissible. He said on account of the situation the region can’t confront another crisis and threat. Accordingly, Azerbaijan and Armenia should assume responsibility to prevent further tension of the crisis. Which third countries were addressees of this statement?

Recently especially in the field of economy we notice activation of Azerbaijan-Israel relations, Azerbaijan-Turkey union is deepening as well, American presence in the region, it’s being constantly touched upon on deploying a peacekeeping mission, although it’s a remote topic now. Iran considers regional countries should solve their issues for themselves, considering them possible.

If some countries in the region have hostile attitude towards Iran, the latter doesn’t accept that hostile countries came and appeared in neighboring countries by spreading anti-Iranian activity. As you know some time ago the Iranian side destroyed UAVs sent from Azerbaijani borders. Iran can’t tolerate such infringement out of which it expresses its position. Naturally, Iran has its borders and interests, on account of which it should defend itself. For the time being there is no such a threat, the Iranian side warns and introduces its position.

That is to say for Iran the issue is peacekeepers and territorial concessions, which may change Iran’s border as a result.

Yes, first and foremost Israel-Azerbaijan relations, Azerbaijan-Turkey relations in the military field. These issues bother Iran. Finally, Iran realizes that Russia is present in Armenia and in the region, this is already a reality, Iran takes it into account, here remain Turkey and Israel, policy of which bothers Iran, as it’s radically against Iran.

By Araks Martirosyan