Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview on state television in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

- For the sake of God Almighty, esteemed Prime Minister, I would like to thank you for accepting the request of the State Television of the Islamic Republic of Iran to conduct this interview. With your permission, let us begin our conversation with bilateral relations. The friendly relations between Iran and Armenia are more than 1000 years old and have always been considered unique. At the same time, both countries have significant potentials that have not been fully realized. How is the development of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran defined in Armenia's foreign policy?

- I am grateful and happy for this opportunity. I always emphasize that the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia are based on natural interests. This guarantees that the relations between the two countries are within the strategic logic of development. We are happy to note that our relations are developing at both the level of political dialogue and economic cooperation. We are pleased to see more tourists from the Islamic Republic of Iran visiting the Republic of Armenia. The number of visitors from the Republic to the Islamic Republic of Iran and our trade turnover is also growing naturally.

Of course, there are also problems and obstacles without which these relations, particularly in the trade and economic sphere, would be more significant. Still, we can have a pretty good growth rate thanks to cooperation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The growth of our trade turnover is equivalent to our relatively high economic growth. In this regard, let's be satisfied with our relationship level and work to make these relations more effective.

- You said that Iran should take some steps to develop relations. What should it do?

- Look, I said that our relations are in the circle and orbit of natural development, and I think 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 and the evidence of this is the growth of our trade turnover. And I must also emphasize with joy that Iranian companies are widely represented in the Republic of Armenia. In particular, today, a company from the Islamic Republic of Iran is involved in the construction of a new customs checkpoint between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Agarak-Qajaran section of the North-South highway is now being successfully implemented by a company representing the Islamic Republic of Iran. 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 orbit.

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

The formula I mentioned is relations based on the natural interests of both countries; this formula creates a specific protection for developing relations. International relations have always been complex; we cannot single out a period in human history to say, "You know what, relations were elementary." Relations are always complex. There is always a desire to do more, and it is this desire to do more that leads to development and growth.

It is essential to note that we are sensitive to the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which are also sensitive to our own. We should focus on the fact that relations are based on natural interests, which makes our relations organic and alive and living and developing. In this sense, I tend to focus on positive factors in our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran because if we focus on negative aspects, which… As you note, some factors have a negative impact; these factors are no secret, including the complex relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and several Western countries with which we also have good relations. We try to consider these sensitive interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran and not create contradictions in our processes because the development of our relations with Iran stems from our natural interests.

- They say that your government is pro-Western. Does this policy not contradict... There is a concern that this process, pro-Westernism, will affect your relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Our government has adopted and is implementing a balanced foreign policy, and this formulation does not imply or even exclude any policy of bias in the field of foreign policy. Therefore, the foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia is based and should be based more and more on the state interests of our country, and this is our general approach.

After the People's nonviolent velvet revolution in Armenia in 2018, these assessments sounded sharper and more frequent. But if we look back at the dynamics of relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran since 2018, let there be no immodesty. Still, the dynamics of the development of relations over the last seven years are not inferior to any previous seven years.

On the other hand, it should be noted that the Republic of Armenia has been a member state of the Council of Europe since 2000, for example. The Republic of Armenia, also by this organization, has robust ties with Europe; if by the West we mean Europe, Armenia is also a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. On the other hand, after the People's nonviolent Velvet Revolution of 2018, we have adopted an agenda of democratic reforms, and we are actively cooperating with the European Union, the Council of Europe, etc., on these reforms, and so on.

On the other hand, we also pay great attention to our regional policy, noting that each of the countries in our region has its vision of development, its model of governance, its political outlook and ideology, and we respect the sovereign right of each people and state to determine the content of its development. On the other hand, this regional diversity also creates opportunities for us to be integrated with the West and the East. We do not want our relations with the East to diminish or weaken; we want those relations to deepen. We want our relations with the Islamic world to continue to deepen. In this regard, our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are significant because, as I said, they stem from our balanced and balanced foreign policy.

I can ambitiously claim that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not threatened in our other relations. I hope and am sure that the Republic of Armenia is not threatened in the Islamic Republic of Iran's relations with other third parties. This understanding creates natural conditions for deepening our relations.

- I was asked, "If Western countries threaten the Islamic Republic of Iran, what will be your actions in that case?"

- It is necessary to clarify what you mean by threat. Still, we have said that the Republic of Armenia will not be involved in any action against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In other words, our natural and natural interests are precisely the factor that makes us mutually sensitive to each other's state interests. Iran's stability is essential to us, Iran's development is significant to us, and Iran's security is critical to us. There is no need to say why because it is so apparent.

I said that we are interested in more and more tourists from the Islamic Republic of Iran coming to the Republic of Armenia. I give the most straightforward example so that the audience can understand what I am saying, and I am not going into more complex content. We want more tourists from the Islamic Republic of Iran to come. When will this happen, when there is good natural economic development, stability, and security in the Islamic Republic of Iran? I gave this example, which is only a tiny part of what I said, although an essential part; I gave this example to show our perception of our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

But on the other hand, we should also see the opportunities in each other. You spoke about unused opportunities, but it is also necessary to emphasize what these unused opportunities are. In particular, in the North-South trade and economic direction, for example, the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran have much greater potential for cooperation, and we are working on it now. On the other hand, the Republic of Armenia to the West and Iran to the north. This is the shortest, most reliable path for the Islamic Republic, and we are also discussing these topics with our partners in the Islamic Republic of Iran. These are issues that can be expressed if there is trust between the two countries and governments. And I am happy to state that we are recording at the highest level in our contacts that there is trust between the two countries' governments. Trust does not mean that we look at everything the same way or have the same interpretation of everything. No, trust means that we are mutually familiar with each other's thoughts regarding our and regional relations and have a particular understanding of those thoughts.

- You recently signed a strategic partnership agreement with the United States. Considering our bitter experience with such countries, how much hope do you express that it will be implemented?

As I have already said, within the logic of a balanced foreign policy, we are developing relations with all our partners. Our relations with the United States are also not new. Yes, we have signed a document on strategic partnership, which was signed quite recently. We must take this document as an agenda and try to implement it.

Moreover, it is essential to note that this is a public document, and I attach importance to this so that our intentions for our neighbors, partners, and region are transparent. We hope that this agreement will be implemented and brought to life. In the context of this cooperation, no threats will be created or increased for our region, but, on the contrary, the opportunities that have always existed will be emphasized more. This is, of course, not easy, but as I said, it has never been easy, and it will never be easy; you need to find ways, paths, and the will to create and use these opportunities.

The problem is not Armenia but the US, which is not fulfilling its commitments.

We consider our regional interests in all our relations and will continue to follow this approach.

- How do you assess European and US relations after Trump came to power?

A new administration was formed in the United States just a month ago. All countries are in an adaptation phase when creating a new administration and establishing relations with it. Relations with the new administration should be assessed only after this phase.

- Considering the challenges associated with the transit route from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan, please tell us Armenia's general policy regarding this route, why it has not been signed yet, and what red lines exist in Armenia.

- Are you aware that we have developed the "Crossroads of Peace" project, mainly about unblocking all transport routes and economic ties in our region? Reopening the railway between Armenia and Azerbaijan is critical in this context. And, of course, in this context, the restoration of the railway connection from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan, that is, or from Western Azerbaijan through the territory of the Republic of Armenia to Nakhichevan, and from the Republic of Armenia to Azerbaijan, or rather, through the territory of Nakhichevan to Armenia, is also essential.

Could I present a solution from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan through the territory of Armenia and from Armenia to Armenia through Azerbaijan? We recently proposed that Azerbaijan solve this problem, and the first stage concerns the implementation of railway freight transportation. Of course, this problem should be solved regarding countries' territorial integrity, jurisdiction, and sovereignty. The solution that we have proposed fully satisfies this condition.

In addition, it is essential to satisfy the condition of implementing full, complete freight transportation, that is, these freight transportations are implemented, there are no obstacles, etc., and so on. Of course, the nuance here is that today, there is a connection from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan through the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We also say that, in essence, our ideas are such that the conditions that the Islamic Republic of Iran offers to Azerbaijan, we are also ready to provide the same conditions, of course, taking into account the peculiarity that, in this case, it is not only about railway freight transportation from Azerbaijan through the territory of Armenia to Azerbaijan but also from Armenia through the territory of Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan.

Of course, we are also ready to make certain simplifications based on reciprocity. However, it is essential to record what will happen if this project is implemented. This will also have a very positive impact on Armenia-Iran relations because, in this context, it means that both Azerbaijan and Armenia will be able to use each other's territories for international rail freight transportation.

If these channels are opened, we will have an Armenia-Iran railway, significantly strengthening our economic relations. At the same time, Azerbaijan will have the opportunity to have full-fledged rail freight transportation through the territory of the Republic of Armenia to Turkey and vice versa, which means that both Armenia and Azerbaijan will be fully integrated into the international rail network. But I want to say again that this will also significantly deepen trade and economic relations between Iran and Armenia.

Look when I say that the Republic of Armenia may be one of the shortest and most convenient routes to the West for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Still, today, we do not have the opportunity to carry out rail transportation. The issue of building an Armenia-Iran railway has been discussed for a long time. Still, due to the relief, such a railway requires enormous investments. In today's conditions, there is still no justification for the possible cargo transportation to compensate for this cost, even in the long term. But in the event of the implementation of the "Crossroads of Peace" project I mentioned, we will also have the opportunity to have a railway connection to the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, as well as to the Islamic Republic of Iran, through the territory of Armenia to the Black Sea, and then to the West.

This is a significant project, but we are very active and profound; we want this project to be implemented, yes, including from the western regions of Azerbaijan through the territory of Armenia to Nakhichevan and from Armenia, from Yeraskh to Meghri. Still, at the same time, I want to emphasize the critical international context. Today, there is a global crisis in international transportation, which is conditioned, among other things, by the situation around Ukraine. Today, considerable cargo awaits an opportunity to flow from West to East, from north to south. Suppose our regional transport and economic communications are opened. In that case, the volume of this cargo transportation will be so large that even the infrastructures of Armenia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey will not be enough to serve this entire flow. This also provides an excellent opportunity to think about new infrastructure projects for regional cooperation.

- Some countries have expressed a particular opinion that third countries should control the roads at this crossroads or that it should be on the part of the UN. What is your opinion, and how do you assess it?

Suppose we translate the principles I mentioned a moment ago—sovereignty, jurisdiction, full respect for territorial integrity—and answer your question through this translation. In that case, the answer is as follows: the talk about third forces means the presence of...

- That is, they should be present there as observers on behalf of a third country.

- If we translate what I said, the talk about third forces is unacceptable for the Republic of Armenia. We do not see such a need; there is naturally no such need. Moreover, there is a lot of talk about it and some speculations. Still, I want to emphasize again that the Republic of Armenia has never undertaken any obligation, neither in writing nor orally, nor made any verbal agreement or agreed that our sovereignty, jurisdiction, or territorial integrity in our territory would be limited in any way, either by the logic of transport routes or in any other logic. Even if there are some allegations, they have no basis or relation to reality.

- You have announced that you will sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. Why has it not been signed yet?

We continue to work in that direction because we have yet to reach an agreement on two articles of the draft peace treaty.

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