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Armenia's Economic Pulse

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  • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

    Could Russia Spoil Armenia’s Iranian Investment Dreams?


    July 17, 2015 - 1:00pm, by Gayane Abrahamyan


    Hopes are running high in Armenia that the pending end of international sanctions against Iran, its southern neighbor, will advance strategic investment projects. But Armenian analysts caution that Russia, Tehran’s longtime regional rival, may foil Yerevan’s ambitions.

    Although no exact timeline exists for the lifting of sanctions against Iran, the United Nations could consider the issue during the week of July 20, provided the International Atomic Energy Agency finds that Tehran has restricted its nuclear research as specified under the July 14 deal with the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, France, and Germany, news agencies report.

    The prospect of lifted sanctions has investors busy making up wish lists. The sense of anticipation is especially high in Armenia, which has endured an economic blockade by its neighboring Azerbaijan and Turkey since the early 1990s. For more than 20 years, Iran has served as one of only two economic trade routes to the outside world for landlocked Armenia. A significant expansion of Armenian-Iranian trade ties could effectively break the Azeri-Turkish economic blockade.

    In recent years, financing for joint Armenian-Iranian projects has run scarce. Among Yerevan’s top priorities is an estimated $3.2 billion, 470-kilometer-long railway that would run from the Iranian border into Armenia and, conceivably, onto the Black Sea ports of Armenia’s northern neighbor, Georgia.

    The Armenian government for the past few years has been negotiating with potential investors, including China, which in 2014 announced a $40-billion infrastructure fund to develop links between Asia and Europe.

    Yerevan hopes that infrastructure development will be a priority for the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a regional economic organization that Armenia joined in 2015. During a July 9 speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Ufa, Russia, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan touted the railroad as a project that could “provide” the EEU “direct access to the Indian Ocean through the Persian Gulf.”

    Some Armenian experts believe that the construction of a hydropower plant on the Arax River on the Armenian-Iranian border could rank as the most feasible post-sanctions project. As yet, Moscow has expressed no objections.

    But Armenian ambitions are prioritizing the Iranian-Armenian railway. Ara Nranian, a board member of the EEU’s regulatory body, believes that Armenia “can become a transportation loop” connecting Iran and the EEU, the Tert.am website reported.

    Getting the railway up and running is “strictly important” for Yerevan from a strategic and economic standpoint since it would render “pointless” the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockade of Armenia, stressed Vardan Voskanian, chair of Yerevan State University’s Iranian studies department.

    The Russian-state-owned Russian Railways, though, holds a contract to manage Armenia’s railroads until 2038, and has made it clear it does not welcome competition. Prior to the announcement of the Iranian nuclear deal, Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin dismissed the Iran-Armenia railroad as not “productive.”

    “It’s like opening a window onto the wall of a neighbor’s house,” he quipped to ArmInfo in June. A Russian Railways-proposed rail link from Russia to Iran via Azerbaijan, Armenia’s eastern neighbor, most interests the company, Yakunin told the Regnum news agency in 2014.

    Asked to respond to Yakunin’s stance, Armenian Transportation and Communications Minister Gagik Beglarian maintained in late June that “Armenia’s position has not changed.”

    “The railway is of vital importance and no effort should be spared to find investors and to implement the project,” Beglarian told EurasiaNet.org. Iranian officials have not yet commented.

    Armenia’s trade turnover with Russia stood at $1.4 billion in 2014, while Iranian trade with Armenia was a far more modest $291 million for the same year. Overall, the Islamic Republic ranked as Armenia’s fifth largest trade partner in 2014, with Iranian exports accounting for nearly 70 percent of bilateral commerce.

    Arsen Ghazarian, chair of Armenia’s Union of Manufacturers and Businesspeople, predicted that the removal of sanctions would boost trade with Iran, and encourage Iranian small businesses in Armenia.

    “Certain steps have been taken, some negotiations have been initiated in this sphere,” he told EurasiaNet.org, without elaborating.

    At present, about 3,000 Iranian firms, mostly small in scale, operate in Armenia. Direct investments in 2014 stood at a modest 45.6 million drams, or roughly $109,756, according to official data.

    Still, Iranian entrepreneurs interviewed by EurasiaNet.org expressed optimism about the future. Saeed Sanaee, who opened a carpet and flooring business in Yerevan in 2005, now expects “easier money transfers” and the chance for “better loans from our banks to increase our business here.”

    But economist Ashot Yeghiazarian, a lecturer at the Armenian State University of Economics, voiced doubts whether Armenia will be able to fully benefit from any Iranian trade opportunities. By joining the EEU, he said, Armenia “has lost the right to make independent decisions.”

    Political analyst Stepan Safarian, head of the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs, agreed. He believes that Russia likely considers Iran as a potential threat to its interests in the South Caucasus – particularly in the energy sphere.

    In June, the Armenian government sold the 40-kilometer section of a gas pipeline from Iran to the Armenian branch of Russian energy giant Gazprom, which controls Armenia’s gas supplies and distribution. Gazprom earlier had insisted that the pipeline’s diameter be reduced.

    Safarian sees the sale as a warning from Russia for Armenia “not to get too carried away with cooperation prospects with Iran.”

    “The deepening of Iran-Armenia relations largely depends on Russia-Armenia relations and the Kremlin’s decisions,” Safarian added.

    A 2013 agreement with Gazprom forbids Armenia from purchasing gas from any other provider until 2043.
    Last edited by londontsi; 07-21-2015, 03:32 AM.
    Politics is not about the pursuit of morality nor what's right or wrong
    Its about self interest at personal and national level often at odds with the above.
    Great politicians pursue the National interest and small politicians personal interests

    Comment


    • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

      The Iranian/Armenian railway does hold a great deal of potential.

      ARMENIA CAN BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE PERSIAN GULF AND THE BLACK SEA: IRAN'S AMBASSADOR

      18:15, 24 Jul 2015
      Siranush Ghazanchyan

      Iran will be able to deepen its international relations, especially
      with neighbors, after the sanctions are lifted, Ambasaador
      Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Armenia Mohammad Raisi
      told reporters in Yerevan.

      The Ambassador said Iran's Vice-President will visit Armenia in the
      coming months.

      The Ambassador said "Armenia can be a bridge linking the Persian Gulf
      to the Black Sea." "This may take a long time, but it's unequivocal
      that communications can have a serious impact on the development of
      Armenian and Iranian economies," he noted.

      He added that the lifting of sanctions and Iran's return as a
      full-fledged member of the international community will change the
      situation in the Middle East and will give new quality to the relations
      with neighbors.

      Mohammad Raisi hopes the level of economic relations between Armenia
      and Iran will reach that of political ties.

      As for the Karabakh conflict, the Ambassador hopes the issue will be
      solved in a peaceful way through negotiations.

      He said "Peace and security in neighboring countries is a guarantee
      of Iran's security."

      Hayastan or Bust.

      Comment


      • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

        Originally posted by Haykakan View Post
        The Iranian/Armenian railway does hold a great deal of potential.

        ARMENIA CAN BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE PERSIAN GULF AND THE BLACK SEA: IRAN'S AMBASSADOR

        18:15, 24 Jul 2015
        Siranush Ghazanchyan

        Iran will be able to deepen its international relations, especially
        with neighbors, after the sanctions are lifted, Ambasaador
        Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Armenia Mohammad Raisi
        told reporters in Yerevan.

        The Ambassador said Iran's Vice-President will visit Armenia in the
        coming months.

        The Ambassador said "Armenia can be a bridge linking the Persian Gulf
        to the Black Sea." "This may take a long time, but it's unequivocal
        that communications can have a serious impact on the development of
        Armenian and Iranian economies," he noted.

        He added that the lifting of sanctions and Iran's return as a
        full-fledged member of the international community will change the
        situation in the Middle East and will give new quality to the relations
        with neighbors.

        Mohammad Raisi hopes the level of economic relations between Armenia
        and Iran will reach that of political ties.

        As for the Karabakh conflict, the Ambassador hopes the issue will be
        solved in a peaceful way through negotiations.

        He said "Peace and security in neighboring countries is a guarantee
        of Iran's security."

        http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/07/24...ns-ambassador/
        It is important we work on North/South corridor. China is a very good potential investor. The West should know, that Armenia as a stable country would be a much better transit country from Gulf to Black Sea, then let's say Turkey.
        Մեկ Ազգ, Մեկ Մշակույթ
        ---
        "Western Assimilation is the greatest threat to the Armenian nation since the Armenian Genocide."

        Comment


        • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

          Originally posted by Haykakan View Post
          The Iranian/Armenian railway does hold a great deal of potential.

          ARMENIA CAN BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE PERSIAN GULF AND THE BLACK SEA: IRAN'S AMBASSADOR

          http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/07/24...ns-ambassador/
          Has anybody heard any enthusiasms or response from Georgia in this matter.

          This project can only become viable if it terminates on the Black sea, which means Georgia's participation.

          .
          Politics is not about the pursuit of morality nor what's right or wrong
          Its about self interest at personal and national level often at odds with the above.
          Great politicians pursue the National interest and small politicians personal interests

          Comment


          • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

            Originally posted by londontsi View Post
            Has anybody heard any enthusiasms or response from Georgia in this matter.

            This project can only become viable if it terminates on the Black sea, which means Georgia's participation.

            .
            Georgia is now a puppet of the west and its participation or none participation will be decided by outsiders who do not like Iran.
            Hayastan or Bust.

            Comment


            • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

              Originally posted by Haykakan View Post
              Georgia is now a puppet of the west and its participation or none participation will be decided by outsiders who do not like Iran.
              Given EU is upping economic relations with Iran, I think they will allow Georgia to proceed.
              Մեկ Ազգ, Մեկ Մշակույթ
              ---
              "Western Assimilation is the greatest threat to the Armenian nation since the Armenian Genocide."

              Comment


              • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

                In General the West want these countries to prosper and strengthen their ties since it will reduce Russian power in the region.
                Ambassador Raissi was referring to the Armenian Iranian railway construction. Armenia is already linked to Georgia and use Georgian ports to export and import goods , so Georgia is already participating in these projects ( Railway + the north/south highway ) ex: border checkpoints and bridges are being upgraded, and there is talks to upgrade/build a highway from Bavra to Batumi to complement the North/South highway.
                http://www.northsouth.am/uploads/bag...resent_eng.pdf check the map on the last page of this pdf

                Comment


                • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

                  this says otherwise http://i.imgur.com/V0ScjDZ.jpg

                  Comment


                  • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

                    Georgia though might get a lot of money from Turkey/Azerbaijan to prevent any project that would economically benefit us. That is a more likely possibility. So then Georgians will gain more financially by ignoring the North/South corridor then actually implementing it if Turkey/Azerbaijan make good enough offer.
                    Մեկ Ազգ, Մեկ Մշակույթ
                    ---
                    "Western Assimilation is the greatest threat to the Armenian nation since the Armenian Genocide."

                    Comment


                    • Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

                      I think by more interest by our leaders (holding Russians back) to make this happen with Iran.
                      Iran is a good ally
                      B0zkurt Hunter

                      Comment

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