Even before the international decision on the gradual lifting of sanctions against Iran, the Islamic Republic began to actively develop its international political and economic relations, including with Armenia.
Armenia, as one of the northern neighbors of Iran is among the countries with which Iran would like to have closer relations. However, if the various countries of delegation visits Iran to end up in specific agreements, in the case of Armenia, the results are limited to “warm smiles” and “assurances of friendship.”
Thus, on July 29, Iran decided to open visa-free links with Georgia, Turkey, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Egypt and Syria. Armenia is not among those countries, although in May formally offered Tehran to Yerevan to cancel the visa regime.
Moreover, Armenia has experienced more frequent visits of Iranian delegations. Last week, the Iranian energy minister was in Yerevan, and this week the director of the Export Development Bank of Iran paid a visit to Armenia. Nothing is reported about specific agreements with them. But some experts argue that the Iranians leave “empty-handed”.
The delegations of some countries in the Middle East also appears to achieve any concrete results when they visit Armenia. On July 29, Prime Minister of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan received the Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan of Planning Ali Sindi. And again nothing specific was reported on the meeting in addition to “hot insurance” even though the Kurdish minister said his aim was to explore the investment opportunities in Armenia as well as the prospects for cooperation with Armenian colleagues.
Analysts wonder why Armenia rejects the proposals for cooperation with countries in the Middle East, in particular the initiatives in the region clearly come from Turkey, a hostile state in Armenia, to Iran, an ally of Armenia. Some even wonder if the whole issue is about “orders” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, which does not hide the fact that Iran is becoming a competitor for Moscow.
Iran adheres to a fairly tough stance on the Karabakh issue, which is largely beneficial for the Armenian side. In particular, Iran is opposed to the deployment of third country peacekeepers in the region, over Tehran declares inadmissible as a military solution to the conflict. However, Armenia is unable to take advantage of Iran’s position on the diplomatic front.
It is not known how long Armenia will manage to get by with “smiles and meaningless statements” in its relations with Iran and other countries of the Middle East. Large international companies are gradually leaving Armenia because of the more complicated trade with European countries following the accession of Yerevan to the Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia. Armenia also has serious problems with Georgia, while only its relations with Russia remain “stable”. Some experts in the media suggest that Armenia became “more Russian” Russia itself. Meanwhile, Yerevan contract more foreign debts by asking money from Western institutions.
By Naira Hayrumyan