THE OPENING OF ARMENIA’S CONSULATE
GENERAL IN TABRIZ IS AGAIN ON THE AGENDA
After an interval of two years, the opening of Armenia’s
Consulate General in Iran is on the agenda. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister
Hasan Qashkhavi stated that the preliminary agreement was reached concerning
Armenia’s opening the consulate in Tabriz. Owing to the conveniences granted by
the Iranian Government to Armenians, Armenians have reportedly started to flow
to South Azerbaijan recently. Thanks to the Tehran-Yerevan cooperation, while
Armenians publish cultural declarations in Ardebil and religious declarations in
Urumiyeh, they seek to be involved in the oil industry in Tabriz.
It has been met with great reaction that through its
decision of 15 January 2008, the Iranian Administration approved the request for
“opening of Armenia’s Consulate General” in Tabriz where the majority of the
population consists of Turks. Within the framework of the approval, Armenia was
expected to open its consulate general by March 2008. However, no developments
have occurred regarding the issue within the time passed. It is deemed
noteworthy that the issue has appeared on the agenda again.
Armenia tried to enter the areas of South Azerbaijan
through the support of the Iranian Administration in 2004 for the first time;
however it was met with the reaction of the Ardebil public. The Armenian
Administration did not abandon its insistence and sought ways of staying in
South Azerbaijan. In the meantime, the Iranian Government granted Armenians,
their strategic partners the permission of running the mines in Ardebil. The
relations between the two countries continued with memorandums of cooperation
signed in the field of defense, the construction of natural gas pipeline,
railway project and the contracting work by the Iranian construction companies
in Karabakh region under occupation.
As is known, Armenia is the closest center to Iran from
the perspective of the USA. Iran which is aware of this situation is seeking to
make Armenia which is its only Christian neighbor dependent on itself through
the vitally important aids. Armenia whose borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan are
closed and which does not share any borders with Russia welcomes the cooperation
with Iran. However, it is stated that the Iranian Administration will not deem
positively of opening Armenia’s Consulate General in Tabriz taking into
consideration the reaction of the Tabriz public.
