Will Armenia choose the U.S. or Iran?
Economist Vahagn Khachatryan doesn't rule out Armenia being forced to sign a document prohibiting any economic cooperation with Iran.
The U.S. and Europe are talking about applying new sanctions anyone cooperating with Iran in the energy sphere or in general, for that matter.
Currently, Armenia has several agreements with Iran in the energy sphere, including the construction of the Iran-Armenia oil pipeline, the oil reprocessing factory, as well as the hydro-electric station located on the Arax River in Meghri. "I am sure that the construction of the Armenia-Iran oil pipeline won't end by 2014 as planned," Khachatryan told "A1+".
In these conditions, he also doesn't think it is realistic to speak about the construction of an oil reprocessing company in Meghri. "If the Armenian government doesn't know this, that's the government's problem. Oil reprocessing companies give independence to the countries that have oil resources and are able to go against developed countries. In other words, the Iran-Armenia oil reprocessing factory initially can't be built."
According to Vahagn Khachatryan, after long, nonsensical talks about this, the Armenian government has not started talking about the construction of the Iran-Armenia oil pipeline. "Nobody will let Armenia build that oil pipeline because it will require the construction of an oil reprocessing factory."
The economist believes Armenia faces two alternatives-either the U.S. or Iran, but it really doesn't have a choice. "The Armenian government will be told what to do. Whether it is the U.S., Russia or the European Union, it depends on what kind of political support they will promise the Armenian government for reproduction."
The current situation allows Khachatryan to say that the development of Armenia's energy sphere is at risk.
As far as the expected fuel price changes are concerned, the economist mentioned that it depends on the global market and the relationship between the dollar and the dram in the internal market. "Oil prices dropped in the international market because an economic downturn is expected soon."
