Public Diplomacy and Official Diplomacy Go Hand in Hand
Interview with Kazem Jalali on Parliamentary Spokesman’s speech in Munich Security Conference
Parliamentary Spokesman, Ali Larijani, had a foreign tour this week attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany and visiting Spain to meet his Spanish counterpart. Iranian Diplomacy has interview Kazem Jalali, member of Foreign Policy and National Security Committee of the Parliament on the outcomes of Mr. Larjani’s visits:
- How will Mr. Larijani’s speech in Munich Security Conference influence the course of nuclear negotiations?
Iran usually attends such high-profile conferences. This year, Mr. Larijani was invited to the conference and he had a
first-rate speech. The side talks with some foreign officials were also beneficial. We hope the visit has clarified Islamic Republic of Iran’s stance towards global and regional issues.
- How will Joseph Biden’s speech affect Iran’s stance on its nuclear program?
The global community knows about Iran’s stance. It was the United States who spoke of change and now they are the ones to change policies. So we must wait and see how they work things out. Iran’s policies aren’t equivocal. They have been explicated and pursued earnestly in the past thirty years.
- What are Mr. Larijani’s goals in his visit to Spain?
The Spanish Parliament has made the invitation and the visit is a part of Mr. Larijani’s periodic parliamentary visits to other countries. Spain is a major European country that is in good terms with Iran. The trip can improve bilateral ties.
- Will Iran’s nuclear program be a part of the talks?
Nuclear program has become a part and parcel of every foreign visit of Iranian officials and a lot of countries demand to discuss it. That would be something ordinary.
- What is the reason for Mr. Larijani’s significant presence in diplomatic talks, especially the nuclear issue?
Parliamentary diplomacy is a potential we should use best. Meanwhile, Mr. Larijani has a good diplomatic potential
which is being used.
- Doesn’t this overshadow the role of Foreign Ministry?
No. Parliamentary diplomacy is defined under the heading "public diplomacy" but Foreign Ministry pursues official diplomacy. These two complement each other.
- How will Mr. Larijani’s speech in Munich Security Conference influence the course of nuclear negotiations?
Iran usually attends such high-profile conferences. This year, Mr. Larijani was invited to the conference and he had a
first-rate speech. The side talks with some foreign officials were also beneficial. We hope the visit has clarified Islamic Republic of Iran’s stance towards global and regional issues.
- How will Joseph Biden’s speech affect Iran’s stance on its nuclear program?
The global community knows about Iran’s stance. It was the United States who spoke of change and now they are the ones to change policies. So we must wait and see how they work things out. Iran’s policies aren’t equivocal. They have been explicated and pursued earnestly in the past thirty years.
- What are Mr. Larijani’s goals in his visit to Spain?
The Spanish Parliament has made the invitation and the visit is a part of Mr. Larijani’s periodic parliamentary visits to other countries. Spain is a major European country that is in good terms with Iran. The trip can improve bilateral ties.
- Will Iran’s nuclear program be a part of the talks?
Nuclear program has become a part and parcel of every foreign visit of Iranian officials and a lot of countries demand to discuss it. That would be something ordinary.
- What is the reason for Mr. Larijani’s significant presence in diplomatic talks, especially the nuclear issue?
Parliamentary diplomacy is a potential we should use best. Meanwhile, Mr. Larijani has a good diplomatic potential
which is being used.
- Doesn’t this overshadow the role of Foreign Ministry?
No. Parliamentary diplomacy is defined under the heading "public diplomacy" but Foreign Ministry pursues official diplomacy. These two complement each other.