Iranian FM's visit to Yerevan 'good opportunity' to revise partnership agenda

The Iranian foreign minister recent visit to Yerevan is a good opportunity for the Armenian authorities to rephrase and revise their rhetoric with the Islamic Republic to build a more fruitful partnership agenda, a Yerevan-based expert in Iranian studies said today, presenting his analysis on several key statements voiced by Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Speaking to Tert.am, Aharon Vardanyan called attention, especiall, to the remark on Armenia's territorial integrity, a point which the Iranian top diplomat described as a "red line" on his country's political agenda. "It implied that Iran does really see a certain danger, and it was a clear-worded message to the Turkish terrorist group," he said, referring also to another implicit remark reflecting Iran's intention to be proactive in case of encroachments upon Armenia's territorial integrity.

"That deals also with what we call the 'Meghri corridor' - given that  Iran understands well that it may, in a way, pose a real threat to the Armenian-Iranian border and [our] territorial integrity. Of no less importance is also the reference to terrorists; a closer look would reveal that the topic somehow stopped surfacing in the news reports - both Armenian and international - after November 10 [the signing of the Russia-brokered ceasefire on Nagorno-Karabakh]. So the [Iranian] foreign minister brought also this issue to the surface, as they understand that the problem exists and is equally dangerous for both Armenia and Iran," he said, underlining at the same time the Islamic Republic's ongoing fight against international terrorism. 

Another important message, according to Vardanyan, dealt with Iran's willingness to offer humanitarian assistance. "To put it in a nutshell, new topics were brought to the Armenian-Iranian agenda, which certainly require further work. I don't know anything about Armenia's proposals, but the Armenian policies towards Iran are not in the least sufficient, as there isn't enough work being practically carried out. Our relations with Iran have been on stand-by, so to speak, for almost three years now, and hence this visit is a good opportunity [for us] to intensify and impart a new spirit to those relations," he added.

As for the Islamic Republic's congratulations to Azerbaijan in connection with the "victory" in recent war, the expert recommended against concentrating too much attention on the statement.  

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