Armenia and Iran sensitive to each other's interests - Pashinyan to IRIB

It is important to note that we are sensitive towards the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is also sensitive to our interests, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

-Mr. Prime Minister, let us start the conversation from bilateral relations. The relations between Iran and Armenia go back more than a thousand years and those relations have always been considered unique. At the same time, bot countries have capacities that have not yet been utilized for developing relations. Please tell us how the developing relations with Iran is defined in Armenia's foreign policy.

- I am thankful and happy about this opportunity. I always emphasize that the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia are based on natural interests, and this is perhaps the guarantee that the relations between the two countries are in a strategic logic of development. We are happy to note that our relations are developing both at the political dialogue level and the economic cooperation level. We are pleased to see more tourists visiting from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia and vice versa, and our trade turnover is growing at natural rates.

Of course, there are also problems and obstacles that, if they did not exist, these relations might be even larger, particularly in the trade and economic sphere. But I also think that through cooperation with the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we are able to achieve quite a good growth rate. I must also say that our trade turnover growth is equivalent to our economic growth, which is quite high. In this regard, I believe we should be satisfied with the level of relations we have and definitely work to make these relations even more effective.

– You said that Iran should take some specific steps for the development of relations. What exactly should Iran do?

 - Look, I said that our relations are in the path of natural development, and I believe that both the government of Armenia and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran are implementing everything necessary to ensure the development of relations. The growth of our trade turnover is the eveidence of this. I am also happy to emphasize that Iranian companies are quite widely represented in the Republic of Armenia. Particularly today, Iranian companies are involved in the construction of a new customs checkpoint between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and an Iranian company is successfully implementing the Agarak-Kajaran section of the North-South road. My assessment is that there is a will on the part of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to keep the development of relations based on natural interests on a natural trajectory.

 - As you know, Iran-Armenia relations have serious adversaries, but what is important are the national interests of both countries. In your opinion, how should these relations be protected?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - The formula I mentioned, that is relations based on the natural interests of both countries, itself creates a certain protection for the development of relations. You know, in general, it must be noted that international relations are complex and have always been complex. In other words, we cannot mention a period in human history and say relations were simple at that time. Relationships are always complex, and there is always a desire to do more, and this desire to do more leads to development and growth.

It is important to note that we are sensitive towards the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is also sensitive to our interests. I believe we should focus on the fact of our relations being based on natural interests, which makes our relations organic, vivid, and developing. In this sense, I am always inclined to focus on positive factors in our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran because if we focus on negative factors, which, as you note, exist and negatively impact relations, these factors are no secret, including the complex relationships between Iran and several Western countries with which we also have good relations. We try to take into account those sensitive interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran and not to create confrontations in our processes, including for the reason that developing relations with Iran serves our natural interests.

 - We are standing on the threshold of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. What is your message to the people of Iran on this occasion?

- I wish the people of Iran prosperity, development, peace, happiness, which is what I wish the people of Armenia and the Republic of Armenia. In other words, I wish the Islamic Republic of Iran and the people of Iran, the friendly brotherly people, the same as I wish the Republic of Armenia and its people. And of course, taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran, the friendly people of Iran, and my colleagues from the Islamic Republic of Iran on the occasion of this important holiday.