Armenia is keen on facilitating Iranian investment in diverse sectors of its economy as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral trade, says the newly appointed prime minister of the southern Caucasus nation.
"We are willing to expand economic relations with Iran," Nikol Pashinyan, who was elected to the post by Armenia's parliament in early May, told IRNA in an interview.
The former opposition leader was swept to power by a peaceful revolution driven by mass protests against corruption and cronyism in the ex-Soviet republic.
Pashinyan said Tehran and Yerevan have cordial political relations but there is a need to intensify business collaboration to expand trade and investment.
Increasing meat exports to Iran, deepening energy cooperation, executing the project to build a transport corridor running from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea, continuing imports of gas from Iran in a swap for electricity, increasing gas imports and constructing the third Armenia-Iran high-voltage line are high on the agenda of the Armenian government, he added. The prime minister—who now holds most power in the country under a revised constitution—is of the opinion that Armenia can be a "reliable political and economic partner" for Iran.
"We plan to improve the investment climate in Armenia, particularly for Iranian investors," Pashinyan said, noting that both countries should strive to remove the existing trade hurdles. He did not specify the hurdles. Since it emerged as an independent state after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia has been locked in a territorial conflict with Azerbaijan and is under economic blockade from Turkey.
The Islamic Republic is a strategic partner for Armenia—a country of about three million people nestled in mountains between Iran, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The official said he plans to meet President Hassan Rouhani in the near future to discuss ways to enhance ties, particularly through the implementation of joint projects.
A series of practical steps should be taken to boost bilateral tourism as well, including the completion of the North-South Highway project in Armenia, which will improve transport links with neighboring Iran, he said.
Asked about US President Donald Trump's decision on May 8 to pull out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions against Tehran, Pashinyan said, "We are very concerned about the situation. We have good relations with the United States and hope that the current crisis would be resolved through dialogue."
Armenia does not want its relations with Iran or the US to be influenced by "geopolitical" factors, he stated.
"It should be made clear for the international community that we attach special significance to our relations with Iran, and these ties have not been and will not be against a third country," Pashinyan added.
