Interview by Maria Sidelnikova, exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
Tehran has found support in Russia in times of rising tensions with the West. Relations between Moscow and Western countries today leave much to be desired, now Russia wants to activate ties with Iran. Both countries are the leading players in Central Asia and the Middle East and want to limit U.S. influence there. That is why Tehran stimulated talks on joining the SCO. It was given observer status in the organization in 2005.
Iranian Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei has described bilateral relations, cooperation within the framework of the SCO, Caspian problems, the situation in Central Asia and the Middle East and the Iranian nuclear program in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.
- Mr. Ambassador, we know that September is a very complicated period for you: an intense schedule, many events. For example, the SCO summit was concluded just a week ago. What are the results of the summit from the Iranian angle?
- From Iran’s perspective, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an actual form of economic integration in the current geopolitical situation. On the one hand, experience of unipolar settlement of conflicts in the world has turned out to be fruitless and created many problems itself. I can say that the SCO is one of the organizations with a multipolar vision of the world. It includes such countries as Russia and China, while Iran and India participate as observers, recognizing the right of SCO members to an independent approach to settling problems in the region, and in the world as a whole. It is unclear how the Shanghai Cooperation Organization can show itself as decisive, ready to open doors and attract new full-fledged members: India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey. But the SCO has prospects, its timeliness and topicality for the region are undeniable.I think that relations between such countries as Russia and Iran could remove certain obstacles in the process. The SCO needs to expand if it wants to become more influential and effective, the problem needs a solution. We know that there are members that make little gains from the SCO today and will not lose much from the conservatism of the SCO tomorrow. Maybe the unanimous principle of making decisions creates a certain conservatism; besides, the order of accepting new SCO members was adopted maybe in the days when relations of Russia and other members of the organization with the West were a lot firmer. Today a lot has changed, because the SCO needs a more advanced approach. I emphasize again, the organization itself is very reliable, topical, suitable for our time.
- Astrakhan will host the summit of Caspian states in late September. What will Iran bring to the meeting, and can we expect any breakthrough in the negotiations?
- There is a Persian saying of immaculate religious figures: “First, the neighbour, then the house.” Neighbours have a very important place and play a significant role in each other’s lives. The Caspian states gather in Astrakhan as neighbours. It is very pleasant, because the Caspian unites us all. Iran looks at the Caspian Sea as a living phenomenon, a region that is an economic, cultural and ecological zone, creating many sectors of cooperation of Caspian states.In terms of problems of the Caspian, it is very important for the summit to start, and that presidents will have bilateral talks within its framework. I note that the negotiations in Astrakhan will be the fourth meeting since Hassan Rouhani became the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran: the first ones were held in Bishkek, then in Shanghai, they have recently met for the third time in Dushanbe. We are excited about the meeting in Astrakhan, it is very important in the context of the Caspian, in the context of regional policy, in the context of bilateral relations. Expecting some final solution for the legal status of the Caspian is illogical, and we do not expect a breakthrough at the summit in Astrakhan. Nonetheless, the prepared resolutions, I mean the two documents for the sectors of fishing and emergency situations, are very important, and I think that the summit will attract great attention in the region and the world.
- What sectors of Russian-Iranian cooperation do you consider the most promising?
- Our relations of over 20 years have constantly been developing in all sectors: political, scientific, cultural, economic, industrial, technological and so on (of course, not ruling out the last three years, when trade turnover and relations went downhill because of the sanctions). This year we see many factors in our contacts that will have a serious impact on them, boosting economic partnership. Firstly, Presidents Hassan Rouhani and Vladimir Putin found common grounds, mutual understanding, and this is very important. They often call each other, meet, discuss various problems. Secondly, in July, a trade-economic memorandum was signed, the key document according to which the sides agreed to cooperate in different sectors of industry. It is not only export and import of goods, it is joint production of cars, roads, rails. There are negotiations to build a new nuclear power plant in Bushehr, renovation of two USSR-period power plants is negotiated in the energy sector. A serious agreement was reached between Iranian and Russian Energy Ministers Alexander Novak and Hamid Chitchian. In the sector of car-manufacturing, two Russian factories want to start production in Iran, at the same time, the Iranian factory Iran Khodro signed a deal with Russian partners to export about 20,000 cars to Russia, another manufacturer SAIPA is holding negotiations. Iran Khodro and SAIPA produce cheap cars, very attractive for the middle class in Russia. The fact that Russia banned food from some countries of Europe encourages Iran for a more serious presence on the Russian market of vegetables and fruits. Our cooperation, of course, is hindered by the remaining sanctions, but we hope for a significant rise of trade turnover between Iran and Russia in late 2014 and early 2015.
- How are the negotiations for conclusion of the Iranian nuclear profile going. Have there been any changes in the last months?
- About a year has passed since the day Iran and the Six started a new round of negotiations, it differs with all sides trusting each other and having big hopes for final settlement of issues. Iran has a very serious approach to the negotiations, the Six demonstrate productive moods. Doubtlessly, it does not mean that there are no differences, they remain, they are quite great, but it is important that both sides want to settle the conflict and demonstrate a corresponding political will. We believe that the problem of Iranian atomic energy was created artificially. We have always been saying that we will not give up our right for development of non-military, peaceful atomic programs. It is science, technologies, and no one can deny our right to use them. Considering the high level of cooperation of Iran and the IAEA of the last years, we hope that a solution would eventually be found, and Iran will continue the course in its foreign policy.
- Continuing the topic of the foreign political course, I would like to know what policy does Iran have in the Central Asian Region and the South Caucasus at the moment.?
- For Iran, Central Asia and the South Caucasus are regions of common many-centuries history, culture, traditions. Iran was among the countries that recognized the independence of the republics immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union, and has always supported their aspiration for independent development and the path of independence. At the same time, Iran has always been opposed to involvement of non-regional states in enforcing the security of these regions because we believe that cooperation between the countries of the region themselves in the issue is the most reliable line for enforcing security. This also concerns the Caspian, Central Asia, the Caucasus. Iran has always spoken for support of stability in the regions. There is experience of Iran’s participation in pacifying Tajikistan and the stability of Nagorno-Karabakh. I emphasize that Iran has never interfered in the affairs of republics – in the Caucasus, in Central Asia – it has always supported stability there.
We think that Russia and Iran have big opportunities for cooperation, like in the 1990s, this is confirmed by the recent positive experience in a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Syria. Although we see new serious risks and problems in Central Asia and the Caucasus today, our regions may become a target of some other regions and countries. I think that trilateral cooperation between Iran, Russia and the Caucasus or Iran, Russia and Central Asia is very important in maintaining regional stability.
- A new threat appeared in the Middle East, the Islamic State terrorist organization. The situation in countries of the Middle East is uneasy, Iran has always been one of the leaders in the region. What will the policy of the Islamic Republic be to settle the situation?
- Iran has always had a principled position: everyone should fight terrorism and extremism. Terrorism cannot be distinguished into good or bad. Unfortunately, we see that some countries have the practice of such a distinction: they fight terrorism, against them, in one country, and support it in another. We see this practice in Syria, yet it resulted in the US bombing those who had been supported, because they had become uncontrollable. Terrorism is terrorism wherever it is, whomever it targets. Not only in Syria, in other countries too, in Iraq, you can find terrorists everywhere. Iran has always had a principled position: all countries should unite against terrorism without double standards, of course.
- Will Iran send troops to Iraq?
- Iran believes that the army of Iraq is enough to beat the terrorists, so there is no need for foreign intervention. Those supporting the Iraqi government morally and materially have the right to give such support. Since 2001, we have gained experience to stay moderate: imported stability is unstable, imported democracy is illogical and impermanent.
For the first time in 20 years, Russia has started regaining its lost positions in the Middle East. Does Iran see competition from Russia?
No, there can be no competition. I think that Iran and Russia in the Middle East only complement each other. We have common approaches, principles and threats, so there are no grounds for competition.
- You have just recently visited the North Caucasus. Tell us about your visit, please.
- The Caucasus is a very interesting region. No wonder Pushkin, Lermontov and many other Russian writers visited the North Caucasus. I have certainly visited the Caucasus several times, a few times in the late 1990s and early 2000s when I was an ambassador's advisor. This year, I visited North Ossetia and the Stavropol Territory. In North Ossetia, I met the head of the republic, the prime minister, political, cultural, scientific and economic figures of the republic. Ossetia for Iran is very important and liked because we have common origins, a common language: Alans and Ossetians speak a language that is part of the Iranian language family. At the same time, we have great potential for cooperation. The Caucasus as a whole may play a very important role in relations between Iran and Russia due to its geographic position. The role of a corridor for transit from Russia to Iran and back. We will certainly keep an eye on the results of the agreements reached at the meetings.
The Iranian Cinema Week started during my visit to North Ossetia, the Center for Studies of the Persian Language opened at the Ossetian State University. By the way, this concerns the partnership of our regions. This is why we held a commission for inter-regional cooperation in Pyatigorsk., which was participated in by Iranian provinces, deputy heads of the Russian Ministry for Regional Development and deputy heads of the Iranian Interior Ministry.
We will continue the practice of holding events in different regions of Russia, especially the southern ones. Iran is also connected with the Caucasus by purchases of gramineous plants grown in Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, North Ossetia, Stavropol Territory. I note that there is big potential for exports of wheat, grain, corn of the republics to Iran. I think we can develop relations with Russia’s south and Iran a lot more, because the Caucasus is such a region you do not want to leave after visiting it.
- What interest do ordinary Iranians have in Russia? Do you see any interest of Russians in Iran?
- To be honest, one of the key problems in the psychology of our relations is that our nations know little about each other and they know it poorly. Russia is more familiar with Persia, an ancient civilization, than modern Iran. By the way, Iran is the same when thinking about Russia, they envision Siberia, Stalin. I often meet people who fly to Russia and become surprised that Moscow or Saint Petersburg are so beautiful. Sometimes, when I publish a message on Facebook or LiveJournal, many ask: “Does Russia really have such beautiful cities?” We know little about each other, this stage should be passed. In the 21st century, in the times of globalization, the internet, we cannot live and think about each other as though we still live in the 20th century.
I hope our relations will expand, that Russian exporters would not fear sanctions and pay more attention to Iran, and Iranian partners would not fear the cold or Russian customs offices, seeing a real market for Iranian goods. Now an exhibition of products is being held, Iran is represented by over 30 companies. Yesterday I was at the exhibition and I saw manufacturers from different regions: Tehran, Tabriz, Khorasan, East Azerbaijan, Mazandaran, central provinces. Such an extensive delegation, about 200 people, means that Iranian businessmen want to work with Russia, and we hope that it will simultaneously affect the impression of Iranians about Russia and Russians about Iran.
- You are an example of an unusual diplomat: you are very open, you have a blog where you actively talk with your subscribers, which is contradictory to the image the West made of Iran. Just recently, you have proposed passing letters your subscribers will send you to the head of state. Has anyone sent you letters yet? What requests do they make?
- Of course, very many letters have arrived in two days but I have not had time to read them. In about a week, I will collect them, split them into groups, and we will see what requests, offers they have for the Iranian president today. From the letters that have already been received, many contain calls for a visa-free regime between Russia and Iran. It is a characteristic example for our conversation about the familiarity of Russia with Iran. It means that people exchange opinions on their own, so that it would be a prerogative for people, not only politicians. We hope that public diplomacy will develop. Of course, I cannot say that classic diplomacy is old-fashioned or insignificant, it plays its role in foreign policy and international relations. But foreign policy and international relations are not just about work of professionals, public diplomacy is important here too. I hope that this type of diplomacy will become an opportunity for the peoples of Iran and Russia to know each other. As an ambassador who has accounts in social networks, I gladly write and speak, read and hear because it is very important for me to know what ordinary people possibly living in Moscow and Tehran and distant regions think and want to say about something. Sometimes, very constructive proposals are written from Iran in Persian and from Russia.
