Iranian Tasnim News Agency Interview with Arsen Avagyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Islamic Republic of Iran

13 December, 2022

Question: How is the Iran-Armenia political and economic relations proceeding in recent two years after the Karabagh war?

Answer: Given the historical ties and common interests of both countries, Armenia-Iran relations during the past 30 years since the independence has always been one of the main priorities of foreign policy of Armenia.

The developments happened during the period of 44-day Karabagh war and the deployment of terrorist organizations by Turkey and Azerbaijan tandem highlights the common challenges addressed to Armenia and Iran and makes vital the deepening ties of both countries for achieving stability and security in the region.

The mentioned points and further, the political will of Armenian and Iranian governments to promote interactions have led to a situation where we are witnessing a new era of developing ties between two countries in political and economic spheres particularly in recent time period, four meetings during this year between the Prime minister of the R. of Armenia and the President of the I.R. of Iran is its proof.

By the opening of the Iranian consulate general in Kapan, are you planning to act reciprocally?

A: The opening of the consulate general of the I. R. of Iran in Kapan and the opening of the consulate general of the R. of Armenia in Tabriz as similar move has already been discussed before , moreover there is a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2007, we have put it into practice in recent two years, the opening of consulate general in Kapan explicitly stresses the strategic importance of Syunik province from the aspect of providing land connection route between Armenia and Iran. Based on this logical reasoning, the Armenian party is interested in opening consulate general in Tabriz, the center of the east Azerbaijan province, the preliminary measures of which is undertaking. In the context of trade and economic relations with Iran, Tabriz has its significance for the R. of Armenia, given its economic, industrial and logistic facilities. Hence by joint efforts of the R. of Armenia and the I.R. of Iran it would be possible to develop and foster the thousand years old border crossing route of Armenia- Iran whose significance has been pointed out by the esteemed supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Q: Considering the presence of Georgia on North-South transit route what measures have been taken to join the Tbilisi to this project?

A: In implementing the “Persian Gulf- Black Sea” corridor, Georgia possesses a geographically important location, our view is that the consistent efforts for operating the corridor, the studies done on the potential benefits and the growing interest of European and Asian countries on this perspectival project would make it attractive and beneficial for our Georgian partners ,since this project having been implemented the volume of trade exchange from Georgian ports to the Asian countries and vice versa would increase sharply. The construction of “North-South” road is in progress by Government of Armenia and according to the experts’ assessments by its completion the transport of the freights from Chabahar, Bandar Abbas and other southern ports of Iran to Georgian ports in Back Sea and onwards to Europe will be possible within 2-3 days. Armenia, in turn is working with Georgian partners in order to join them to “Persian Gulf – Black Sea” project.

Q: How is the progress of negotiations with Azeri party on the terms of the ceasefire agreement and issues such as the legal-political status of Karabagh and connection issue between Republic of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan.

A: The Armenian party has expressed many times its readiness to sign a peace agreement and to launch the delimitation and demarcation process. The meetings in various formats held between the prime minister of Armenia and the president of Azerbaijan with attending international mediators have been dedicated to this issue. There is certain recommendation by international community to move towards peace building yet, after each meeting, instead of fulfilling the agreed outcomes of the meeting, Azerbaijan heads to new conspiracies, the consequences of this conspiracy have been the occupation of considerable parts of sovereign territory of the R. of Armenia as of May,2021. Another obvious example of this aggressive politics was the large-scale aggression on 13-14 September this year by shelling numerous Armenian residential areas, meantime Azeri armed troops unlawfully occupied some regions in the border, in Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces of the R. of Armenia posing threat to the Armenian cities and civil infrastructures. Moreover, the statements done by the president of Azerbaijan in Shushi on last November 8, overtly shows the aggressive intentions of Azerbaijan, in this context addressing some of the cities of Armenia by the latter that they are targeted by Azerbaijan armed forces reveals nothing but the future aggressive open threats to Syunik province. This style of conduct is not only a threat for Armenia but also for the stability of the whole region.

Azerbaijan keeps showing its hostility towards the Armenians of Mountainous Karabagh by terrorizing the local population along with the armed operations in the areas under control of Russian peacekeeping troops. The Armenian party has always stressed that in the framework of settlement of Karabagh dispute securing the rights and security of the local Armenian population is the cornerstone.

Q: In regard with the dispute over Meghri region what does Azerbaijan claim and why you oppose.

A: Unfortunately, I have to mention the point that Azerbaijan keeps circulating the idea of so called “Zangezur corridor” without any signed document between parties as a base. The Armenian party has expressed in times that Armenia will not cede any corridor to any third country and has never had a commitment in this regard. Armenia is committed to the trilateral statement signed on November 9, 2022 to guarantee the security of transport connections between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. To this end in some points on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan border, crossing posts have been fixed and as the prime minister of Armenia stated citizens of Azerbaijan already can use these posts for movements in both directions. Although Armenia doesn’t have any commitment in this case but has announced the readiness to discuss the construction of roads and railway. Armenia has made some proposals in this regard which have been rejected by Azerbaijan because of trying to associate them with Lachin corridor, it is worth stressing that apart from explicit acknowledgment on the use of Lachin corridor as stated in the trilateral agreement , it is considered as the only vital connection route for Mountainous Kharabagh with the world outside, without it the region would be in full blockade ,hence to associate the case of Lachin corridor with the transport route between western regions of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan does not make any sense. At this time the unblocking of the railroad is being discussed, a case that can create capabilities for both Armenia and Iran.

Q: what is the stance of Russia on controversies between Baku and Yerevan on issues of Karabagh and connecting points? Why has the foreign minister of Armenia urged for a clear stance from Moscow?

A: Political leadership in the R. of Armenia, particularly the prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has had many remarks on the important role of Russian Federation in the settlement of M.karabagh dispute and the role of RD peacekeeping forces in securing the security of Armenian population of M. Karabagh as well. Furthermore, it has been stated many times that Armenia is underpinning the Russian last August proposals which can be taken as the basis for the future negotiations in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Republic of Armenia has proposed to extend the presence of Russian peacekeeping forces in M. Karabagh, it is expected that these forces will fulfil their mission in securing the security of the Armenian population of M.karabagh.

Q: How is process of normalization of ties with Turkey? Either one of your countries is going to be the host for the next round negotiations or a third country would be the host?

Q: There is no agreed time or place between the special envoys of two countries at this moment, following the agreement made by the special envoys and the order of leaders in both countries, a session between Armenia-Turkey joint working group has been held with the agenda of opening the border to provide the opportunity for citizens of third countries to cross the Armenia-Turkey land border and to start the implementation of direct air cargo transportation between Armenia and Turkey, implementing these agendas could foster the normalization process.

Q: Is there any link between the normalization of Armenia-Turkey ties and the issues of Armenia and Azerbaijan?

A: I believe these two processes are separate from each other, there is no need to link Armenia-Turkey normalization with the issues related to Azerbaijan.

Q: What is your evaluation of developments in South of Caucasus? Is there a possibility to resolve disagreements with Azerbaijan by the end of the year?

A: We believe, the essential measure in order to achieve peace is to stop the aggressive actions of Azerbaijan towards the Republic of Armenia and to return to normal process of negotiations intended to sign a peace deal. The Armenian party has been on constructive stance in this case more than ever and has always made resilient proposals with the aim of settling the issues. It should be clearly pointed out that by the invasion of Azeri forces in to sovereign territory of Armenia in May 2021, November 2021 and September 2022, the internationally recognized territorial integrity of Armenia have been violated and should be recovered. It is Worth mentioning, based on the statement made upon finishing the quadrilateral meeting held in Prague on 4 Oct. 2022, Armenia and Azerbaijan confirmed their commitment on the Charter of the United Nations and the declaration of Alma-Ata, these are documents according which the parties recognized the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other and are base for the activities of committees involved in delimitation and peace deal formation as well.

The Armenian party in its highest level has stated many times they are ready to sign the peace deal by the end of the year, the remaining is up to Azerbaijani party to show political will too. In striving for the true peace, hope it is possible to reach to positive outcome.

MFA RA
official website

Dual citizenship

Electronic visa

Visa applications