Russia and Iran: A New Beginning

Dr. Mehdi Sanai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Russian Federation, wrote about the prospects of development of relations between Russia and Iran in his blog on Live Journal (http://sanaei.livejournal.com).

Vestnik Kavkaza publishes an abridged version.

"Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation have been directed towards development over the past 25 years. Especially in recent years, high-ranking officials of the two countries have demonstrated their determination to build a solid foundation for bilateral dialogue. Despite all these efforts, the volume of economic relations did not correspond to the potentials of the two neighbors.

With the announcement of the achievement of a comprehensive nuclear agreement between Iran and the six negotiators, new horizons have opened for solving the problems of the international community. It also created a new environment for the development of international relations between Iran and other countries. However, in recent weeks the media have made some negative comments about the implications of this agreement for Iran-Russian relations. I am sure for many reasons that such statements cannot have solid grounds for the relations between the two neighbors. For good relations we have the following clear prospects: 

1) The sanctions process of reducing the Iranian-Russian trade relations, especially in the period 2012-2013, has stopped, and the volume of trade turnover between the two countries has  increased five-fold, reaching $1.7 billion. 

2) The comprehensive nuclear deal between Iran and the six negotiators created a positive experience and a precedent in resolving major international issues by means of negotiations and diplomatic methods.

3) The Vienna Agreement can change some conflicts in the Middle East in favor of regional and international stability and security.

4) Russia made a lot of efforts for the entry of Iran into the SCO, but because of sanctions this goal has not been reached yet. After the lifting of sanctions Iran can become a full member of the relations between Iran and Russia in the framework of the SCO.

5) Lifting of sanctions against Iran can assist the extension of Russian-Iranian cooperation in the energy field.

6) The notion that the nuclear deal will lead to a separation of Russia toward the West is far from reality. Moscow and Tehran have a serious community of interests in various regional issues, including in Central Asia and the Caucasus, the Caspian Sea, Afghanistan and the Middle East, and they have common views on many issues.

7) According to some analysts, One of the consequences of the agreement is an increase of competition between Russia and Iran on the energy market. The truth is that Iran and Russia have common interests in the oil and gas industry and they maintain price stability on the world market.

8) Despite the fact that the removal of certain weapons sanctions against Iran have been postponed for a period of 5 to 8 years, the agreement can become a ground for the extension of the military-technical cooperation between Iran and Russia. 

9) Lifting of the sanctions was the ground of the influence of the third factor in the relations between Iran and Russia, which was a barrier to the implementation of many plans between the two countries.

10) Bilateral relations should be wider than economic and trade ties. It is time to achieve great progress in scientific and educational cooperation, extension of tourist relations, strengthening regional and international cooperation with new initiatives.