Wednesday, March 5 2025 12:16

ArmInfo. Below is RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's interview with the Islamic Republic of  Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)

IRIB - In the name of Allah, I thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for  accepting the invitation of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Radio and  Television for this interview. Let us start the conversation from  bilateral relations. The relations between Iran and Armenia go back  more than a thousand years and those relations have always been  considered unique. At the same time, bot countries have capacities  that have not yet been utilized for developing relations. Please tell  us how the developing relations with Iran is defined in Armenia's  foreign policy.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - I am thankful and happy about this  opportunity. I always emphasize that the relations between the  Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia are based on  natural interests, and this is perhaps the guarantee that the  relations between the two countries are in a strategic logic of  development. We are happy to note that our relations are developing  both at the political dialogue level and the economic cooperation  level. We are pleased to see more tourists visiting from the Islamic  Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia and vice versa, and our  trade turnover is growing at natural rates.

Of course, there are also problems and obstacles that, if they did  not exist, these relations might be even larger, particularly in the  trade and economic sphere. But I also think that through cooperation  with the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we are able to  achieve quite a good growth rate. I must also say that our trade  turnover growth is equivalent to our economic growth, which is quite  high. In this regard, I believe we should be satisfied with the level  of relations we have and definitely work to make these relations even  more effective.

IRIB - You said that Iran should take some specific steps for the  development of relations. What exactly should Iran do?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - Look, I said that our relations are  in the path of natural development, and I believe that both the  government of Armenia and the government of the Islamic Republic of  Iran are implementing everything necessary to ensure the development  of relations. The growth of our trade turnover is the eveidence of  this. I am also happy to emphasize that Iranian companies are quite  widely represented in the Republic of Armenia. Particularly today,  Iranian companies are involved in the construction of a new customs  checkpoint between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic  of Iran, and an Iranian company is successfully implementing the  Agarak-Kajaran section of the North-South road. My assessment is that  there is a will on the part of the Government of the Republic of  Armenia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to keep  the development of relations based on natural interests on a natural  trajectory.

IRIB - As you know, Iran-Armenia relations have serious adversaries,  but what is important are the national interests of both countries.  In your opinion, how should these relations be protected?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - The formula I mentioned, that is  relations based on the natural interests of both countries, itself  creates a certain protection for the development of relations. You  know, in general, it must be noted that international relations are  complex and have always been complex. In other words, we cannot  mention a period in human history and say relations were simple at  that time. Relationships are always complex, and there is always a  desire to do more, and this desire to do more leads to development  and growth.

It is important to note that we are sensitive towards the interests  of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is  also sensitive to our interests. I believe we should focus on the  fact of our relations being based on natural interests, which makes  our relations organic, vivid, and developing. In this sense, I am  always inclined to focus on positive factors in our relations with  the Islamic Republic of Iran because if we focus on negative factors,  which, as you note, exist and negatively impact relations, these  factors are no secret, including the complex relationships between  Iran and several Western countries with which we also have good  relations. We try to take into account those sensitive interests of  the Islamic Republic of Iran and not to create confrontations in our  processes, including for the reason that developing relations with  Iran serves our natural interests.

IRIB - Your government is believed to be pro-Western. Doesn't this  policy contradict... Is there a concern that this process,  pro-Westernism, will affect your relations with the Islamic Republic  of Iran?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - Our government has adopted and  implements a balanced and balancing foreign policy, and this  formulation does not imply or even excludes any policy of ''...ism''  in the foreign policy sphere. Therefore, the foreign policy of the  Republic of Armenia is and should increasingly be based on our  country's state interests. This is our general approach.

After the non-violent, velvet, popular revolution in Armenia in 2018,  these assessments became more acute and frequent. But if we look back  at the dynamics of relations between the Republic of Armenia and the  Islamic Republic of Iran since 2018, I do not think that the dynamics  of relationship development in the last seven years are inferior to  any previous seven-year periods. On the other hand, it must be noted  that the Republic of Armenia has been a member state of the Council  of Europe since 2000, which means Armenia has very strong ties with  Europe. If saying "West" we mean Europe, Armenia is also a member of  the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Moreover,  after the people's non-violent, velvet revolution of 2018, we have  adopted a democratic reform agenda and have been actively cooperating  with the European Union, the Council of Europe, and so on.

At the same time, we pay great attention to our regional policy,  noting that each country in our region has its own vision of  development, governance model, and political view ideology. We  respect every people's and state's sovereign right to determine their  own development path. This regional diversity also creates  opportunities for us to be integrated not only with the West but also  with the East.

But on the other hand, this regional diversity also creates  opportunities for us to be integrated not only with the West, but  also with the East. We do not want our relations with the East to  diminish or weaken; we want these relations to deepen. We want our  relations with the Islamic world to continue to deepen. In this  regard, our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are very  important, and we want our relations with the Islamic world to  continue deepening, because as I said, this stems from our balanced  and balancing foreign policy.

I can make such an ambitious assertation that our relations with  others pose no threat to the Islamic Republic of Iran, and I hope and  am sure that there is no threat to the Republic of Armenia in the  relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran with other third parties.  It is this understanding that creates natural conditions for the  deepening of our relations.

IRIB - This question arose in my mind, if any threat is made against  the Islamic Republic of Iran by Western countries, what will be your  actions in that case?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - It is necessary to clarify what you  mean by saying threat, but we have said that the Republic of Armenia  will not be involved in any action against the Islamic Republic of  Iran. In other words, our natural interests are precisely the factor  that makes us mutually sensitive to each other's state interests.  Iran's stability is extremely important to us, Iran's development is  extremely important to us, and Iran's security is extremely important  to us, and I don't even think there is a need to say why, because it  is so obvious.

I said that we are interested in more and more tourists from the  Islamic Republic of Iran coming to the Republic of Armenia. I am  giving the simplest example so that the audience can understand what  I am saying, I am not going into more complex content. We want more  tourists from the Islamic Republic of Iran to come. When will this  happen? When there is good natural economic development, stability,  and security in the Islamic Republic of Iran. I brought this example,  which is just a very small part of what I said, although a very  important part, I brought this example to show what our perception is  of our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

But on the other hand, I also want to say that we must mutually see  the opportunities. You spoke about unused opportunities, but we also  need to highlight what those unused opportunities are. Specifically,  in the North-South trade and economic direction, for example, the  Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran have a much  greater potential for cooperation, and we are now working on this. On  the other hand, we can say that the Republic of Armenia is perhaps  the shortest, the most reliable path for the Islamic Republic of Iran  to the west and north, and we are having discussions on these topics  with our Iranian partners, and these are issues that can be further  expressed if there is trust between the two countries and their  governments. And I am happy to note that in our interactions at the  highest level, we record that there is trust between the governments  of the two countries. Trust does not mean that we absolutely look at  everything the same way or have the same interpretation of  everything. No, trust means that we are mutually familiar with each  other's train of thought regarding our relations and regional  relations, and we have a certain understanding of that train of  thought.

IRIB - You recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the  United States. Considering the bitter experience we have had with  such countries, how hopeful are you that it will be implemented?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - I already said that under the logic  of balanced and balancing foreign policy, we are developing our  relations with all our partners, and our relations with the United  States are not new, and yes, we have signed a strategic partnership  document, which was signed quite recently, and we must take that  document as an agenda and try to implement it.

Moreover, it is very important to note that this is a public  document, and I emphasize this to make our intentions transparent for  our neighbors, partners, and our region. We hope that this agreement  will be implemented and brought to life, and in the context of this  cooperation, no threats will be formed or added for our region, but  on the contrary, the opportunities that have always existed will be  further highlighted.  This is of course not easy, but as I said, it  has never been easy and will never be easy, we simply need to find  ways, paths, and will to create and use these opportunities.

IRIB - The difficulty, the problem, is not Armenia, but the US, which  is not fulfilling its commitments.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - In all our relations we are trying  to take into account our regional interests as well, and we will  continue to be guided by this approach.

IRIB - What's your assessment of the relations between Europe and the  USA after Trump coming to power?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - Well, you know, the new  administration was formed in the United States just a month ago, and  the formation of a new administration and relations with the new  administration are an adaptation phase for all countries. It is after  this adaptation phase that these relations should be evaluated.

IRIB - Considering the challenges associated with the transit route  from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan, please tell us what is Armenia's  general policy regarding this route, why has it not been signed yet,  and what red lines exist in Armenia?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - You are aware that we have developed  the "Crossroads of Peace" project, which is largely about unblocking  all transport routes and economic ties in our region. The reopening  of the railway between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a very important  topic in this context. And, of course, in this context, the  restoration of the railway connection from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan,  that is, or from Western Azerbaijan through the territory of the  Republic of Armenia to Nakhichevan and from the Republic of Armenia  to Azerbaijan, or rather, through the territory of Nakhichevan to  Armenia, are also important.

Did I manage to present clearly? from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan  through the territory of Armenia and from Armenia to Armenia through  the territory of Azerbaijan. And we, quite recently, made a very  specific proposal to Azerbaijan to solve this issue, and in the first  stage we are talking about the implementation of railway cargo  transportation. Of course, we believe that this issue should be  solved with respect for the territorial integrity, jurisdiction and  sovereignty of the countries. And the solution that we have proposed,  we believe, fully satisfies this condition.

In addition, it is very important that it also meets the condition of  carrying out full, complete cargo transportation, that is, these  cargo transportations are carried out without obstacles, etc., and so  on. Of course, the nuance here is that today there is a connection  from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan through the territory of the Islamic  Republic of Iran, and we also say that in essence, our ideas are such  that the conditions that the Islamic Republic of Iran offers to  Azerbaijan, we are also ready to offer the same conditions, of  course, taking into account the peculiarity that in this case it is  not only about railway cargo transportation from Azerbaijan through  the territory of Armenia to Azerbaijan, but also from Armenia through  the territory of Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan.

We are also ready to make certain simplifications, of course, on the  principle of reciprocity. But here it is very important to also note  what will happen in the event of the implementation of this project.  This will also have a very positive impact on Armenia-Iran relations,  because in this context it means that both Azerbaijan and Armenia  will be able to use each other's territories for international  railway freight transportation.

You know that if these communication routes are opened, we will have  an Armenia-Iran railway, which will significantly deepen our economic  relations. And at the same time, Azerbaijan will have the opportunity  to have full-fledged railway freight transportation through the  territory of the Republic of Armenia to Turkey and vice versa, which  means that both Armenia and Azerbaijan will be fully integrated into  the international railway network. But at the same time, I want to  say again, this will also significantly deepen trade and economic  relations between Iran and Armenia.

When I say that for the Islamic Republic of Iran, the route through  Armenia to the west might be the shortest and most convenient,  currently we don't have the possibility of implementing railway  transportation. The issue of constructing a railway between Armenia  and Iran has been discussed for a long time, but due to the terrain,  such a railway would require extremely large investments, and under  current conditions, there is no substantiation that potential cargo  transportation, even in the long run, would compensate for those  expenses. However, with the implementation of the ''Crossroads of  Peace'' project, we would have a railway connection to the Persian  Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and we could connect the Islamic Republic of  Iran through Armenia's territory to the Black Sea and further west.   This is a very important project, and I want to emphasize that we are  very active and seriously committed to its implementation, including  routes from Azerbaijan's western regions through Armenia to  Nakhichevan and from Armenia to Meghri from Yeraskh. At the same  time, I want to highlight the key international context. Today, there  is a global transportation crisis, also related to the situation  around Ukraine.  Enormous volumes of cargo are waiting for the  opportunity to flow from west to east, from north to south.  If these  regional transportation and economic communications open, the cargo  volume would be so large that infrastructure in Armenia, Iran,  Azerbaijan, and Turkey would not be sufficient to serve the entire  flow.  This also provides a great opportunity to think about new  infrastructure projects for regional cooperation.

IRIB - Some countries have expressed some opinion that third  countries should monitor the roads at this crossroads or that it  should be done by the UN. What is your opinion, how do you assess it?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - If we interpret the principles I  mentioned a moment ago: sovereignty, jurisdiction, full respect for  territorial integrity, if we answer your question through this  interpretation, the answer is as follows: the talk about the presence  of third forces is...

IRIB - That is, they should be present there as observers on behalf  of a third country.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - If we interprete what I said, it  means that the talk about third forces is unacceptable for the  Republic of Armenia. That is, we do not see such a need and there is  no such need naturally. Let me say more, look, there is a lot of talk  about it and there are some speculations, but I want to emphasize  again that the Republic of Armenia has never undertaken any  obligation, neither in writing nor orally, never made any verbal  agreement and has not agreed that our sovereignty, jurisdiction,  territorial integrity in our territory would be limited in any way,  either by the logic of transport routes or by any other logic. Even  if there are some allegations about this, these allegations have no  basis and have no relation to reality.

IRIB - You have announced that you will sign a peace treaty with  Azerbaijan. Why has it not been signed yet?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - Because there are still two articles  in the draft peace treaty on which we have not yet been able to reach  an agreement, and we continue to work in that direction.

IRIB - We are standing on the threshold of Nowruz, the Iranian New  Year. What is your message to the people of Iran on this occasion?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - I wish the people of Iran  prosperity, development, peace, happiness, which is what I wish the  people of Armenia and the Republic of Armenia. In other words, I wish  the Islamic Republic of Iran and the people of Iran, the friendly  brotherly people, the same as I wish the Republic of Armenia and its  people. And of course, taking this opportunity, I would like to  congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran, the friendly people of  Iran, and my colleagues from the Islamic Republic of Iran on the  occasion of this important holiday.

IRIB - Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister, for giving us your  time. In turn, I wish you and the people of Armenia success. Thank  you very much.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - Thank you very much.