Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Iran and Armenia have committed to further develop relations between the two governments, which both suffer from the sanctions over their foreign policy.

According to experts, at first sight, such an alliance between the beacon of the "Global Islamic revolution" and a Christian nation religion can appear as deeply unnatural. But, if one looks at it more closely, it meets very specific internal, economic and geopolitical concerns.

For Armenia, this alliance is a way to circumvent economic sanctions taken by Azerbaijan and Turkey since the Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of the Azerbaijani territory. In doing so, Armenia is trying to evade the economic sidelining caused by its policy of aggression towards its neighbors and hopes to ease the aggravating economic situation in the country.

In Tehran's view, the special relationship with Armenia offers an opportunity to bypass international sanctions and pursue nuclear activities.

Therefore, from this point of view, currently the cooperation of the two countries is of great importance.

Armenian Deputy Economy Minister Ara Petrosyan has underscored the need for using all the existing potential to further expand economic and trade cooperation with Iran.

The Armenian deputy minister stressed at the Iran-Armenia business forum in the presence of visiting Iranian Head of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines Yahya Al-e Eshaq that Yerevan and Tehran should use capacities to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation, IRNA news agency reported.

According to a Saturday report of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Armenia, Petrosyan said his country attaches great importance to its economic relations with Iran.

During a meeting, Armenian Deputy Economy Minister Petrosyan said that the Iranian-Armenian trade turnover is valued at nearly $320 million over the past two years, underlining the need for increasing the figure.

Besides, Iranian and Armenian trade officials at a meeting in Yerevan last week signed a trade agreement to expand bilateral trade ties.

At the meeting, Head of Yerevan's Chamber of Commerce Robert Haratounyan pointed to the current Iran-Armenia relations, and said the Iranian delegation's visit to Armenia provides the sides with a good opportunity for boosting cooperation between the two countries.

Al-e Eshaq called for further expansion of the trade ties between Iran and Armenia, saying that Iran can open new horizons to its northern neighbor.

"Iran can open the doors to Armenia for the transit of goods to 14 neighboring countries," Al-e Eshaq told Armenian media.

Also, last month, Armenian Ambassador to Tehran Grigor Arakelyan urged Tehran and Yerevan to further broaden their relations in different areas.

Arakelyan made the remarks in a meeting with Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Relations Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi in Tehran.

"I hope that during the presidency of Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani, Iran and Armenia will further expand their relations in all fields," the Armenian ambassador said.

In recent years, Iran and Armenia have boosted cooperation, signed agreements on energy cooperation and agreed to cooperate in technology and research and to enhance ties in commerce and economy.

The Armenian-Iranian trade turnover was estimated at $317.7 million in 2012, according to the National Statistical Service of Armenia. Armenian exports hit $97.8 million.

Armenia mainly exports to Iran ore fuel, oil products, bitumen, wax, plastics and plastic products, and aluminum products.

Iran mainly exports to Armenia ore fuel, oil and oil products, bitumen, wax, plastics and plastic products, fertilizers, salt, limestone and cement.