Vahan Kostanyan: Tehran and Yerevan ties will never be  subject of  any geopolitical bargain

ArmInfo. In an exclusive interview with the Iranian agency IRNA Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan stated that relations between Tehran and Yerevan are of strategic importance to his country and will never be the subject of  any geopolitical bargain.

"Since Armenia's independence, Iran and Armenia have interacted as  two nations with very good, indeed exceptional, relations. Since  1991, our bilateral ties have been steadily growing. Today, the  relations between our two countries, our leaders, and our governments  are very special and of great importance to us.  I believe these  relations are strategic in nature, and I am confident that the  upcoming visit of President Pezeshkian to Yerevan will elevate them  to an even higher level." Kostanyan noted, emphasizing that Armenia's  relations with Iran are truly unique, and the RA authorities view  them as more than just energy or politics.

According to the Deputy Minister, it is important for Yerevan to "It  is important for us to hear the feedback and opinions of brotherly  countries, especially Iran. We appreciate the balanced statement by  the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the subsequent  remarks by Iran's foreign minister and president. I believe we are  now entering a new era in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, one in which  the two countries and their leaders have openly affirmed their  commitment to peace. This will have a positive impact not only on our  bilateral relations but also on regional dynamics, from politics to  economics," he stated. 

According to him, one of the key agreements with Azerbaijan is the  reopening of communication routes in the region, with full mutual  respect for the sovereignty, jurisdiction and territorial integrity  of the countries.  In practice, this will open  new opportunities for  railway cooperation between Armenia and Iran, including through the  Nakhchivan-Julfa railway line, which will provide Iran with access to  Armenia and, ultimately, to the Black Sea.

Touching upon the role of Iran, especially within the framework of  the regional mechanism <3+3> proposed by Iran, Kostanyan noted that  this dialogue format can provide  a suitable platform for discussing  regional projects, especially  connectivity ones. "The recent  developments between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the principled  agreement to reopen regional communication routes, have opened a new  chapter for dialogue, including within the "3+3" format. According to  the latest ministerial statement, the next meeting should be held in  either Yerevan or Baku, and we also have in mind bilateral  consultations with the Azerbaijani side,"  he said. 

When asked about Yerevan's position on the presence of the US or any  third party in the region, given Washington's role in this agreement,  and what guarantees exist that the US will not play a negative role  in relation to the countries of the region, Vahan Kostanyan said that  he has visited Iran with the message that Armenia has taken into  account Iran's considerations, and that these sensitive issues  factored into the preliminary talks on the project to develop  communications, known as the "Trump" project.

 "Some details of this project have already been determined and  agreed upon, which I have shared with the Iranian side, and I am  ready to announce them publicly as well. It is planned that a company  will be registered in Armenia, with shares divided between Armenia  and the United States, but this does not mean a US security presence  in the region. We understand that this has been one of the key  concerns of the Iranian side, and I believe this concern has been  addressed.  For us, the uninterrupted and obstacle-free functioning  of the Iran-Armenia border and its crossings for the movement of  goods and passengers is of strategic importance, and we do not expect  any obstacles in this regard. The opening of communication routes,  including three new projects, will be carried out on the basis of the  sovereignty and jurisdiction of countries, which in itself is another  guarantee ," he said. 

The Deputy Minister also touched upon the question whether Armenia  shares the concern that the US presence in the region could lead to a  power struggle between regional powers and Washington. " Our general  position on the opening of communication routes has been outlined in  the Armenian Prime Minister's "Crossroads of Peace" initiative. We  believe this opening should not lead to new geopolitical restrictions  but should serve as a confidence-building measure among geopolitical  powers. In practice, US shares in the company registered in Armenia  will benefit the United States, Iran will benefit from access to the  Black Sea, and we will be able to connect to Russia via Azerbaijan's  railway line. We hope that this mutual economic interdependence will  serve as a bridge for cooperation rather than an obstacle to it," he  said.

At the request of the Interviewer, Vahan Kostanyan again touched upon  the question  whether Tehran's concerns and the importance it  attaches to its short but important and historical border with  Armenia are taken into account during the talks in Yerevan.  "We  cherish this border and have been grateful for Iran's political  support on this matter in recent years.  This position holds the same  importance for us as it does for Iran, and it will not change under  any circumstances. We have given the necessary assurances to the  Iranian side.  At present, we are making extensive preparations to  host President Pezeshkian in Yerevan. I believe this historic and  long-awaited visit will further strengthen the political alignment of  our two countries and open new avenues for economic cooperation,"   the Deputy Head of the RA Foreign Ministry said.