Pashinyan convinces Tehran: TRIPP serves Iran's interests too
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the implementation of the TRIPP project will significantly expand trade and economic ties between Armenia and Iran and will contribute to the formation of a railway branch from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea.
As Armenpress reports, on July 9 at a briefing for journalists after a government meeting, the prime minister, addressing the statement made the day before by Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami that Iran is concerned about the TRIPP project, noted that the implementation of this project also serves the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran. “With the implementation of the TRIPP project, we will open a railway connection from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea, as a result of which opportunities for trade and economic relations between Armenia and Iran will significantly expand. The trade and economic opportunities of the Islamic Republic of Iran will also expand significantly. The implementation of the TRIPP project is directly dictated by Iran's interests as well,” Pashinyan said.
The prime minister noted that Armenia is ready for open and transparent discussions with Iran on this issue. “We are transparent and ready to answer any question. It is necessary to clearly formulate what exactly the concern is. We are confident that all concerns will be dispelled,” he emphasized.
According to the prime minister, Armenia will continue working on the project with all interested partners. “We will continue to work with Iran, Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, the European Union, Central Asian countries, and China, because this is a global project, and we want to begin its implementation as soon as possible. I hope that the first on-site works will begin already this fall,” Pashinyan added.
Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami stated at a press conference on July 8 that Iran's quite justified concerns about the direct presence of the United States near its borders are completely logical, and therefore these concerns must receive a clear response. He also added that the Armenian government has assured that the implementation of the project will not create any threats or challenges for Iran due to the presence of the United States. “We need to create a mechanism through which Armenia can fully realize its unblocking potential, but at the same time it is necessary to clearly respond to concerns about possible risks or threats related to the presence of the United States. The Armenian-Iranian agenda should include risk management and the elimination of possible challenges arising in connection with the TRIPP project,” the ambassador said.
