RussiaConsider Armenia-Iran Railroad as a Possible Tool for Future given the Political Important of the Project

ArmInfo. Russia does understand the political importance of the Iran- Armenia railroad project, thus, Moscow considers it as a possible tool for the future, Aleksandr Gushin, the associate professor at Russian State University for the Humanities and expert at Russian Council for International Affairs, told ArmInfo.

In fact, during the joint summit of BRICS, EAEU and SCO held in Ufa president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan invited those organizations to partake in the Armenia-Iran railroad construction. The project envisages EAEU's access to the Indian Ocean through the Persian Gulf.     

The expert says that it is extremely important for Russia to maintain Armenia under its influence. The expert says that Russian Railroad's president Vladimir Yakunin's harsh stance, which then changed, proves an important aspect. The project is important for Russia in the political aspect.

Gushin thinks that the sanctions hinder Russia's investment in projects, which are also conditioned by the political relations with Georgia as a transit country. However, the expert emphasized the importance of the Iranian stance saying that Iran would be more active regarding this issue in case of the improvement of the relations with the USA.

However, he added, it is early to speak of such improvements. Moscow will keep counteracting Yerevan's political hyperactivity regarding the Iranian case. This, according to the expert, will provide more discretion to the latter.  The online-interview was organized by "Region" Research Center.