Armenia needs to propose Iran for cooperation-Ara Papyan

According to Ara Papyan , Head of the Modus Vivendi center, An Iran-Nakhichevan-Armenia railway is of vital importance, and both official and public circles should raise the issue in the context of denunciation of the Treaty of Moscow.

“ What routes can Iran have for an overland communication?

First, an Iraq-Syria route, which is hardly possible amid the current hostilities. A second route could run through Turkey, where the situation remains unstable as well.

Moreover, Iran is not going to rely on Turkey. A third route could run through Armenia, and the last, through Azerbaijan,” Mr Papyan said.

In Armenia’s case, the route could run through Zangezur.

“It requires a construction of a tunnel with a length of more than 100km, bridges with a total length of 20km, and an official cost of US $3.2bn, which will actually double, with the construction to last for seven years.

All this with the Iran-Azerbaijan railway construction project almost completed – 84%, according to the official data as of this January. So it will be completed very soon, and if the Iran-Azerbaijan-Georgia railway is put into operation, Armenia will find itself in isolation,” Mr Papyan said.

“The only thing for Armenia to do is to make a proposal, in cooperation with Iran, Europe and Russia that the Iran-Nakhichevan-Armenia railway be operated for regional peace, stability and development. Otherwise, Azerbaijan will find itself in an unfavorable light.

On its part, Armenia will state this is it only way out of the blockade and having international control over the railway established.

Otherwise, this grave economic situation will seem happiness to us,” the expert said.

If Armenia finds itself in a complete blockade, it will face other problems beside economic ones.

“Azerbaijan will become the most important state for Iran, Europe and Russia, with annual cargo traffic of 20 million tons.

Just imagine such influence on Iran or Russia.

So we have to establish control over the Nakhichevan railway construction project.

A bad proposal, but another option is much worse. In medical terms, it is surgery or the patient dies.”

Silence is of no benefit to Armenia.

“The issue of Nakhichevan’s status should be raised at the government and public levels.

Nakhichevan is at a distance of 40 kilometers from Yerevan, while Smerch missile-launchers can hit targets at a distance of 60 kilometers. Therefore, control over Nakhichevan is a matter of vital importance now,” Mr Payan concluded.