YEREVAN. – At any rate, Russia will not leave Armenia out of its zone of influence; history attests to this.

Professor at Higher School of Economics Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs and leading researcher of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Alexei Portansky (Russia), stated the aforesaid at an online press conference for Armenian media.

Portansky noted this responding to Armenian News-NEWS.am’s query as to whether Armenia has been left out of the “game,” as a result of the agreements that were reached during the trilateral summit, which was convened on August 8 in Azerbaijan’s capital city Baku, between Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan.

And when asked whether the Russia-Iran-Azerbaijan accordance on launching a real development of the North-South transport corridor project—via western coast of the Caspian Sea—will adversely affect the prospects for construction of a highway from Iran to Armenia, the Russian economist noted that the resolution to this matter depends on the intentions of both Armenia and Iran.

“And that’s why it’s hard for us to make any judgment on this matter,” added Alexei Portansky. “I believe this project should be maintained on the agenda.”