Re: Iranian-Armenian relations
Armenia should not expect economic surge from lifting of sanctions against Iran, expert says
Armenia should not expect economic surge from lifting of sanctions against Iran, expert says
YEREVAN, January 25. / ARKA /. Armenia should not expect an economic surge due to the lifting of sanctions against Iran, Sergey Minasyan, head of Political Studies Department at the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute, said last Friday.
Speaking at a news conference, he said even under sanctions Iran and Armenia reached the maximum possible economic cooperation, even given the small Armenian economy. He added, however, that their bilateral relations can progress due to the implementation of several large energy and infrastructure projects, including the construction of a hydroelectric power station on the border Araks River and power transmission lines.
"In general, from an economic point of view, the lifting of sanctions will not result in an economic upsurge in Armenia because even during the sanctions period Armenia and Iran maintained a fairly high level of economic cooperation", said Minasyan.
According to him, the new situation will be positive for Armenia also politically, ‘although Iran and Armenia have never had serious political disagreements.’
He reminded also that Iran’s stance concerning the Karabakh issue is cautiously optimistic, if not to say pro-Armenian while Armenia's role for Iran has always been important even before the sanctions, partly due to the Armenian Diaspora, as well as the Turkish factor.
"I do not think there will be negative developments in terms of economy or politics. The dynamics of Iranian-Armenian relationship will be extremely positive without even an economic upsurge,' said Minasyan.
Armenia’s trade with Iran in the 11 months of 2015 dropped by 5.3% from the previous year to 249.6 billion drams. Armenian exports declined by 8.2% to $71 million.
Armenia should not expect economic surge from lifting of sanctions against Iran, expert says
Armenia should not expect economic surge from lifting of sanctions against Iran, expert says
YEREVAN, January 25. / ARKA /. Armenia should not expect an economic surge due to the lifting of sanctions against Iran, Sergey Minasyan, head of Political Studies Department at the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute, said last Friday.
Speaking at a news conference, he said even under sanctions Iran and Armenia reached the maximum possible economic cooperation, even given the small Armenian economy. He added, however, that their bilateral relations can progress due to the implementation of several large energy and infrastructure projects, including the construction of a hydroelectric power station on the border Araks River and power transmission lines.
"In general, from an economic point of view, the lifting of sanctions will not result in an economic upsurge in Armenia because even during the sanctions period Armenia and Iran maintained a fairly high level of economic cooperation", said Minasyan.
According to him, the new situation will be positive for Armenia also politically, ‘although Iran and Armenia have never had serious political disagreements.’
He reminded also that Iran’s stance concerning the Karabakh issue is cautiously optimistic, if not to say pro-Armenian while Armenia's role for Iran has always been important even before the sanctions, partly due to the Armenian Diaspora, as well as the Turkish factor.
"I do not think there will be negative developments in terms of economy or politics. The dynamics of Iranian-Armenian relationship will be extremely positive without even an economic upsurge,' said Minasyan.
Armenia’s trade with Iran in the 11 months of 2015 dropped by 5.3% from the previous year to 249.6 billion drams. Armenian exports declined by 8.2% to $71 million.
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