Iranist: Working with Iranians is difficult, but Armenia needs it

ArmInfo. Working with the Iranians is quite difficult, they belong to one of our most difficult partners. A similar opinion was expressed by ArmInfo, Vardan  Voskanyan, Head of the Department of Iranian Studies, Yerevan State  University.

"In general, the Iranians are quite complex and often conflicting  partners at the international level, in almost all areas of  international cooperation. Nevertheless, there is certainly an  opportunity for successful cooperation with Iran. To do this, we need  a daily, painstaking, built on the appropriate methodology the work  of specialists familiar with Iran and Iran. Without this work,  without these efforts, achieving complete success is practically  impossible, "he said.

According to Voskanyan, the geographical and geopolitical position of  Armenia dictates the conduct of such work not only with Iran, but  also with all other neighbors, including the most problematic. In  this light, the Iranist sees the need to change the way of thinking  of Armenians in order to abandon the long- term policy of survival in  favor of a clear concept of development and strengthening of Armenia.   The latter, according to his estimates, implies carrying out clear  work of the people, nation, state in the direction of strengthening  Armenian statehood. And, according to Voskanyan, relations with Iran  have an extremely important place in this process. Accordingly,  Armenia, in his opinion, is deprived of the luxury of neglecting the  opportunities contained in them.

As one of these opportunities, the Iranian considers Tehran's  interest in the EAEU, which is expressed by the expected  participation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the Yerevan  meeting of this organization.  Voskanyan believes that Yerevan can  and should develop relations with its southern neighbor, both in a  bilateral format and in the EAEU format. According to expert  estimates, both formats contain great opportunities for Armenia and,  accordingly, value.

The meeting of the Supreme Council of the Eurasian Economic Union  will be held on October 1 in Yerevan. In addition to the heads of  EAEU countries and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Moldovan  President Igor Dodon announced his participation in the summit.