PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:
May 21, 2009
ACNIS Holds Seminar on `The Outlook for Armenian-Iranian Relations’
Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) and Yerevan State University’s Center for Civilization and
Cultural Studies convened a roundtable discussion, entitled `The
Outlook for Armenian-Iranian Relations,’ assessing the current state
of relations between the two countries in light of recent agreements
on energy and transport and in the wake of the official state visit to
Iran last month by an Armenian governmental delegation led by
President Serzh Sarkisian.
After welcoming the participants and attendees to the joint event,
ACNIS Director of Administration Dr. Karapet Kalenchian presented an
overview of Armenian relations with Iran, explaining that `the
recently signed bilateral agreements on energy and transportation
provided a new momentum for the deepening of the strategic
relationship between Yerevan and Tehran.’ He further added that
Armenian-Iranian relations were stable and noted that Iran was
`Armenia’s only neighbor that had no history of conflict’ with
Armenia. Dr. Kalenchian then noted that although Armenia was `not
fully utilizing its energy links (with Iran), Iran held an important
place within Armenian national security.’
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian then presented a four-part
evaluation of Armenia’s strategic engagement of Iran. First,
Giragosian noted that `Armenia and Iran shared a set of common
challenges, including a degree of isolation, stemming from the
blockade of Armenia and due to the economic and trade sanctions
imposed on Iran.’ He also pointed to `the common challenge of
regional insecurity, defined by the post-war shift in security in the
Caucasus and for Iran, the pressure from instability in Iran’s
neighbors, Iraq and Afghanistan.’ Giragosian also noted the `shared
geopolitical threats, for Armenia, from the unresolved
Nagorno-Karabagh conflict and for both Armenia and Iran, the impact of
Turkey’s new engagement and activism in the region, especially as Iran
remains excluded from the Turkish Stability Platform for the region.’
Second, Giragosian highlighted `the common interests of each country,
such as the pursuit of a greater role in regional development, based
on inclusion over exclusion, especially in the energy and transport
sectors.’ He then spoke of the strategic engagement between Armenia
and Iran, stressing four factors: transportation and the $1.2 billion
railway project, the natural gas pipeline, bilateral trade and
investment, which he said was `marginal at best, reaching only $227
million last year,’ and political engagement, citing the Armenian
president’s visit to Iran in April 2009.
In closing, Giragosian stated that `in terms of the outlook for
Armenian-Iranian relations, there are both inherent limits, such as
the Russian pressure on Armenia over the size of the gas pipeline to
prevent the re-export of gas beyond Armenia, and inherent
opportunities,’ arguing that `Armenia can play a role as a strategic
bridge to Iran, and as a platform for Russia, the EU and the US to
engage Iran.’
As a co-sponsor of the roundtable, Professor David Hovhannisyan, the
Director of the Center for Civilization and Cultural Studies at
Yerevan State University, also welcomed the participants before
presenting his analysis of Armenian-Iranian relations. Addressing the
regional context of bilateral relations, he pointed to two specific
trends: `what Armenia was expecting and seeking from Iran and what was
driving Iran’s engagement of Armenia.’ He then stressed that `the
wars in Karabagh, and again in Georgia last year, each demonstrated
that Iran is an important alternative resource for Armenia.’
Professor Hovannisyan, who is also a retired senior Armenian diplomat
and former Armenian Ambassador to the Syrian Arab Republic, noted that
`Iran is crucial for Armenia’s national security,’ listing four key
elements: `military security, energy, as well as social and economic
consideration.’ He closed by stating that `Iran was using the
conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and over Nagorno-Karabagh, as
a way to enhance its role in the region and to compete with Turkey.’
Finally, ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian provided concluding
comments regarding the stability of Armenian-Iranian ties, but noting
that `Iran’s problems with the international community also impacted
Armenia.’ His comments were then followed by a series of questions
and answers, as well as a lively exchange among many leading Armenian
analysts, experts and journalists.
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The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.
For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit
www.acnis.am
www.acnis.am.