MSC good opportunity for Iran to discuss different issues: Former envoy
International Desk
The Iranian foreign minister’s presence in the ongoing 58th Munich Security Conference (MSC) is a good opportunity for exchanging views on different issues, including Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program, said a former ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Germany.
Making the remark in an exclusive interview with Iran Daily, Alireza Sheikh-Attar added that Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has so far held talks with, among others, his German, Dutch, Swedish, Indian, Italian and Austrian counterparts on the sidelines of the MSC.
Commenting on Tehran’s relations with Berlin, he said Germany knows Iran very well, adding that after the issues regarding the Islamic Republic’s nuclear activities are resolved, the two countries will be able to expand cooperation using their considerable capacities.
The full text of the interview follows:
IRAN DAILY: Would you please comment on the MSC's status and importance in international relations?
ALIREZA SHEIKH-ATTAR: In the mid-1960s, when the Cold War had reached its peak, it was decided at the Germans' initiative to hold a nongovernmental conference.
At that time, the major issues were those related to the Cold War. However, as time passed by, the conference became a venue for exchanging views and greater familiarity among the United States, the Soviet Union and their allies in the Eastern and Western blocs. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, other issues also began to be discussed at the conference as the world had become different from what it was and other countries were being invited to take part in the meeting. As far as I remember, since 2003, when Iran’s nuclear program became a globally important issue, Tehran has also been invited to the conference.
Iran has normally sent a deputy foreign minister to take part in the conference. In 2008, when I was appointed Iran’s ambassador to Berlin, I felt that the conference could serve as a venue to get informed about different views. After lobbying with the conference’s top officials, I noticed that they were also very interested in seeing a senior Iranian official attend the event on a regular basis and expound on the Islamic Republic’s stances.
Since normally close to 400 guests attend the conference annually, not everyone gets the chance to deliver a speech at the event. Nevertheless, following my talks with the conference’s officials, they sent two invitation letters for the then Iranian Parliament speaker Ali Larijani and foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki. Eventually, Mr. Larijani traveled to Munich at the head of a delegation and delivered a speech at the conference. In addition to providing Iran with the opportunity to deliver a speech, the host also organized a roundtable discussion attended by Mr. Larijani on the sidelines of the main event. The quality of the program was unprecedented.
This year, Amir-Abdollahian has taken part in the conference. The MSC is a very important opportunity for Iran to declare its stances and attitudes toward different issues. In addition to that, the meetings held on the sidelines of the conference are also very important for discussing bilateral as well as regional and international issues.
Ukraine appears to be the central issue at this year’s conference. What do you think would be the main pivots of the Iranian foreign minister’s talks with his foreign counterparts?
The issue of Ukraine is currently the most important topic of all international gatherings, including the MSC. The Russians, of course, do not have a representative at this year’s conference, which seems to be a message from Moscow to show its dissatisfaction with the policies the Western countries are pursuing against Russia. It is also likely that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has failed to allocate time for taking part in the meeting due to his tight schedule.
As for Mr. Amir-Abdollahian’s discussions, they could revolve around diverse issues, with the most important one being the declaration of Iran’s stances on the nuclear issue and consultations for arriving at a conclusion in Vienna. Improving political and economic relations with other countries can also be among the important topics.
However, the conference is not a venue for finding solutions for different issues, as no decision is made in the MSC. Decisions are made by governments, or in official international meetings, such as those held by the United Nations. The MSC is mostly a place for exchanging views, and given the international media’s significant presence, it is a good rostrum for different countries to inform the world’s public opinion of their stances.
On Friday, the Iranian foreign minister met his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, on the sidelines of the conference. Can the two countries expand their economic relations and cooperation?
Having relations with the United States, Israel and the European Union is among the principles of Germany’s foreign policy. Germany is, however, different from countries like Britain in some aspects. London is obviously Washington’s strategic ally, implementing almost completely the same policies adopted by the United States. To Germany, nevertheless, economic interests are very important. The country is the strongest and most industrial economy in Europe. The German economy is an export-oriented one. Germany has always eyed its presence in Iran’s market and, until a few years ago, was the Islamic Republic’s main trade partner. They had even made investments in Iran. They are quite familiar with Iran, meaning that they see it as a high-potential country in light of its educated workforce.
In addition, given Iran’s strategic location, Germany views the country as a hub or potential center for exports to the region’s market of 400 million people. Germany is, thus, not very happy with U.S. policies against Iran and seeks to adopt cautious stances toward Tehran lest it fails to have a place in the country’s market in the future.
Their stance toward Russia is the same. Germany is highly dependent on Russia for meeting its energy needs. Despite being an EU member, the country’s top officials traveled to Moscow and held talks with their Russian counterparts. The Russians said they had noted some of Germany’s proposals. Thus, Germany’s policies are different from those of the United States and Britain. It has sought to simultaneously maintain its ties with the United States, as well as relations with Iran. Tehran and Berlin can definitely expand their relations and cooperation in a large number of areas. The revival and improvement of such relations, however, hinge on the fate of more important issues, such as that of the Vienna talks and sanctions removal.
Do you maintain that Iran’s participation in international conferences and meetings is in Iran’s interests?
Yes, definitely, as they provide the country with new opportunities. The MSC is probably the most important international meeting following the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Source: Iran Daily