Iran-Armenia relations

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Iran-Armenia relations
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Iran and Armenia have had relations for thousands of years, starting with the Median Empire.

Contents

Context

See also: Armenians in the Persian Empire

Iran and Armenia have been in contact for thousands of years. Armenia was conquered by the Persian Empire several times throughout history, particularly in the Median, Achaemenid, Parthian, Sassanid, and Safavid periods. Due to cultural and historical ties, Armenia was sometimes considered part of Greater Iran.

Relations

Despite religious and ideological differences, relations between Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran remain relatively cordial and both Armenia and Iran are strategic partners in the region. Armenia and Iran enjoy cultural and historical ties that go back thousands of years. There are no border disputes between the two countries and the Christian Armenian minority in Iran enjoys official recognition.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (right) meeting with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan (left)
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (right) meeting with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan (left)

Of special importance is the cooperation in the field of energy security which lowers Armenia's dependence on Russia and can in the future also supply Iranian gas to Europe through Georgia and the Black Sea. In addition to a pipeline that will bring Iranian natural gas into Armenia, the two nations have also implemented other multi million dollar energy projects. These include the construction of two hydro-electric plants on the Arax River that marks the Armenian-Iranian border, a third high-voltage transmission line linking their power grids and dams, among other projects. In July, 2007, a memorandum was signed on the start of feasibility studies on the ideas of building an Armenian-Iranian railway and a Russian-owned oil refinery that would process Iranian crude. In addition, the Armenian and Iranian governments have been working on a bilateral free trade agreement that could be signed by the end of 2007.[1]

The Armenian government is building a second, bigger highway leading to the Iranian border in the hope of boosting trade with Iran. In 2005, Armenia’s trade with Iran totaled a modest $105 million. Having a warm rapport with Iran has always been a matter of virtual national consensus in Armenia. Many politicians and ordinary people see it as a way of mitigating the effects of the continuing Azerbaijani and Turkish blockades. Stepan Safarian, of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies, has said "Given this geopolitical environment, Armenia has the legitimate right to cooperate with Iran for ensuring its security...Besides, Armenia has an energy surplus and its only major export market at present is Iran...So there is also a lot of economic interest involved."

President Ahmadinejad of Iran has been quoted as saying "The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes and supports the development of ties with Armenia in various areas, particularly in energy as well as transportation, sports, and tourism."

Cultural ties

Iran's cultural attaché to Armenia Reza Atufi, has announced that the two countries have reached a preliminary agreement to make a joint TV series. He said that the joint venture would portray the social and cultural life of Iran and Armenia and expand cinematic ties between the two countries [2]

References

  1. ^ Danielyan, Emil. "Iran's Ahmadinejad Due In Armenia", ArmeniaLiberty/Radio Free Europe, 2007-10-19. Retrieved on 2008-01-19. 
  2. ^ Press TV : Iran, Armenia to make TV series

See also