Armenia-Iran: From Friendship to Strategic Partnership

The Ambassador of the RA to Iran, Grigor Hakobyan, on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of Armenia's independence, gave an interview to the prestigious Iranian news agency IRNA, presenting the current state of relations between the two countries and the prospects for their development. The ambassador assured that since Armenia's independence, the dynamics of the development of bilateral relations "have always moved and developed in an atmosphere of friendship, mutual respect, and trust, which today serves as a solid foundation for developing our bilateral cooperation."

The clear readiness of the leaders of the two countries to raise them to a strategic level testifies to a new qualitative stage in the development of relations. This is not just a political statement, but a process filled with real content. As the ambassador noted, the areas of cooperation are so comprehensive that it is impossible to characterize them otherwise. "The areas that are present today within the framework of bilateral cooperation—economic, political, cultural, infrastructural, energy—they truly have a strategic nature and are important for both Armenia and Iran," emphasized Grigor Hakobyan. The seriousness of these intentions is evidenced by the recent official visit of the President of Iran, Pezeshkian, to Armenia, during which about a dozen documents were signed.

In the regional context as well, Armenia and Iran act from common positions, adopting an agenda of peace and stability. The ambassador especially values Iran's principled position on the issue of Armenia's territorial integrity, noting: "Yerevan has always highly appreciated Iran's principled position related to the unconditional respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and inviolability of the borders of the RA."

This is a key factor in the architecture of regional security, where the two countries act as pillars of stability, striving to resolve issues through diplomatic means, noted the ambassador, adding that Yerevan, in turn, always takes into account Iran's interests. "Armenia, in conducting its balanced and balancing foreign policy, has always taken into account the vital interests and sensitivities of Iran. I am convinced that in the conditions of these new realities in the region, the RA and Iran will be able to further deepen bilateral cooperation and implement regional programs, which in turn will contribute to the strengthening of greater peace in the region."

In the economic sphere, the bar is set high. The leaders of the two countries have set a clear target: to bring the volume of trade turnover first to 1 billion, and then to 3 billion dollars. According to the ambassador, these goals are completely realistic. "Today we can state that we have almost reached the 1 billion threshold, and for that, effective programs and steps are planned and being implemented," he added, citing as an example the modernization of the border checkpoint, the construction of a second bridge, and joint projects in the energy sector.