Tuesday, November 19 2019 13:56

ArmInfo. The United States understands the importance of cooperation with Iran for Armenia, since Iran is one of two open borders for Armenia. The US Ambassador  to Armenia Lynn Tracy said this in an interview with Civilnet,  referring to the US position on Armenia-Iran relations, especially in  cooperation in the energy sector.

"We are also sympathetic to the exchange of gas and electricity  between Armenia and Iran. Our concern about Iran is not related to  legitimate trade relations, but to Iran's assistance at the state  level to assist terrorist groups. And this is a very specific and  targeted area. But outside of this issue, neither in the trade, nor  in any other issue we see any problems, "assured Tracy.

To clarify that the legitimate expansion of trade and economic  relations between Armenia and Iran will not raise questions in the  United States, the ambassador in particular said: "No. Our concern  with Iran affects several state structures. The existing state  structures and their relations with terrorist organizations, outside  this, as far as the Armenian-Iranian trade relations are concerned,  we approach them with understanding, "she said.

For clarification, while the ambassador will comment on the fact that  two Armenian trading companies were on the US sanctions list against  Iran, Tracy noted that she would not want to go into details on these  companies, but assured that the American side before including anyone  Someone on the list carries out very detailed checks, including those  related to their contacts. "The inclusion in the sanctions list is a  very detailed process," the diplomat summed up.

It should be noted that in August of this year, the United States  imposed sanctions against two Armenian companies - Markel CJSC and  Yerevan Telecommunications Research Institute (YernIIISS). An  official statement from the US Department of Commerce indicates that  these companies are included in the list of companies that, according  to reliable data, pose a threat to US national security or are  engaged in activities that may be contrary to US interests or foreign  policy. "YernIIISS received and re-exported goods included in the"  List of Commercial Controls "of the US Bureau of Industry and  Security without the necessary licenses. At the same time, YernIIISS  CEO also heads another blacklisted Armenian company - Markel CJSC,"  the Ministry said in an official statement US trade, which also  claimed that Markel CJSC "is doing business with an Iranian  organization that is under US sanctions."