Armenia can become a bridge between Iran, India and EEU countries - Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister
YEREVAN, December 5. /ARKA/. As a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) Armenia is well positioned to become a bridge between Iran, India and the EEU member states (which comprises also Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan), Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan said today, speaking at the Crossroads of Peace conference.
"Since Iran has a free trade zone agreement with the EEU and India is in the process of negotiating a similar agreement , Armenia as a member of the EEU can become a bridge between Iran, India and the EEU states," he said.
Safaryan stressed Armenian government’s commitment to the development of partnership through regional and global initiatives, such as the North-South international transport corridor, the Persian Gulf-Black Sea international transport and transit corridor, the Chabahar port development program, initiated by India and Iran.
"We are confident that Armenia's road network has great potential to contribute to these initiatives. The Armenian government, through the implementation of the North-South transport corridor is making efforts to re-exploit and modernize the country's relevant infrastructures," he said.
"The development of the section of the North-South international transport corridor that passes through Armenia and the launch of the Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor have the potential not only to increase economic activity between the participating countries, but will also have a great impact on the development of transport links and relevant infrastructures in the territories of the states," he said.
Safaryan noted that the participating states can establish joint industrial, agricultural, logistics clusters and other necessary facilities to facilitate exports to Europe.
About Persian Gulf-Black Sea ITC
Armenia's participation in the Persian Gulf-Black Sea multimodal corridor project, in addition to the North-South transport corridor, will allow it to diversify its cargo transportation routes, use ports in Iran and become an important transit hub. Georgia, Bulgaria and Greece are also among the participants of this international initiative put forward and promoted by Iran. India is also interested in participating in the project. -0-
