Salehi in Moscow, Patrushev in Tehran

17 August 2011 | 16:50 Code : 15516 General category

Interview with Mahdi Sanayi

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi will be visiting Moscow on Tuesday night to discuss the step-by-step plan proposed by his Russian counterpart Sergei Medvedev to break the impasse over Iran's nuclear program. Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Mahdi Sanayi, member of the parliament, who accompanies Salehi in his visit to Russia, to find out more about the details of Salehi’s trip:

IRD: Salehi will be in Russia while Russia's National Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev is in Iran. Why were the meetings scheduled in this way?

MS: I think the planning shows that diverse issues are on the agenda of both countries; bilateral and regional relations plus Iran's nuclear program. In the meantime, the Russian National Security Council and its diplomatic apparatus have different missions, hence Salehi’s visit to Russia. In the meantime, a change of plan in Dmitri Medvedev’s schedule –and consequently Sergei Lavrov- postponed Salehi’s visit to Tuesday night.

IRD: Is Mr. Salehi visiting Russia to talk about boosting bilateral ties or to discuss Lavrov’ step-by-step initiative?

MS: Discussing the initiative was on the agenda. However, the developments of Middle East and North Africa, the situation in Lebanon and the Persian Gulf, besides negotiations about starting the operation of Bushehr nuclear power plan will be on the agenda.

IRD: Nikolai Patrushev is already negotiating with Iran's National Security Council Chairman Saeed Jalili. What is Iran's initial perception of the step-by-step initiative?

MS: Overall, Iran has welcomed the proposal; firstly to show its good will and secondly to prove that it appreciates the role played by independent actors such as Russia. In the meantime, as it is always expressed, Iran is ready to show more transparency and build trust about its nuclear program. Of course we hope the plan does not lead to mere repetition of previous comments, but be based in firm legal frameworks to acknowledge Iran's nuclear rights while providing a ground for abolition of sanctions.

IRD: Will the Bushehr nuclear power plant plan fit within the step-by-step framework?

MS: I don’t think so. That is a bilateral concern and has no relation to Iran's nuclear program. Anyway, tying the fate of Bushehr reactors to the nuclear dossier is inappropriate. There is no more room for delay in Bushehr. Plus, running the power plant will reinforce Russia's regional stature.

IRD: Do you believe the step-by-step plan has been suggested in coordination in other members of the Group Six club? Will they welcome this initiative?

MS: Washington knows the details of the plan and so far has shown no opposition. In the meantime, what we have is rather a sketch than a detailed plan. So more time is required. I hope this initiative will bring the Europeans and Americans back to the table of negotiations. The new regional situation also calls for new approaches towards Iran's nuclear program.