Expert: Iran imbroglio to strike hard at Armenia’s economy
02.02.2012,
21:01
Sevak Sarukhanyan, an expert in Iranian studies and the deputy director of Noravank Foundation, is convinced that sanctions against Iran will strike hard at Armenia’s economy.
YEREVAN, February 2. /ARKA/. Sevak Sarukhanyan, an expert in Iranian studies and the deputy director of Noravank Foundation, is convinced that sanctions against Iran will strike hard at Armenia’s economy.
Speaking Thursday at Yerevan-Moscow video bridge that spotlighted threat of sanctions against Iran and its impact on Caucasus region, he said a war in Iran would have devastating impacts on the entire Caucasian region.
“It, first of all, applies to Armenia, for which Armenian-Iranian economic projects are very important,” Sarukhanyan said.
Iranian government is outlining its budget now, he said, and it is already clear that Iran will cut its projects abroad.
“This applies to projects being implemented in South Caucasus, particularly construction of hydro power plants on Arax River and in Armenia and North-South Railway,” the expert said.
Armenia and Iran are planning to build two hydro power plants on Arax River – one on Armenia’s territory and the other on Iran’s. Each of these plants is expected to generate 793 million kilowatt/hour electric power every year.
Armenia’s hydro power plant will be built in Meghri. The construction of this 130-megawatt plant is estimated to last five years and cost $323 million to be invested by an Iranian investment company.
North-South (Iran-Armenia) Railway will give Armenia another gateway to the world and an alternative way to transport energy resources and other commodities.
Experts say $1.7 to 2.8 billion is needed to implement this project.
According to National Statistical Service of Armenia, Iranian investments in Armenia totaled $5,839,600 in late September 2011. They have not grown since the same month a year earlier.-0-
