Tehran-Moscow Ties, Strategic: Russian Envoy

Tehran, Oct 15, IRNA - The Russian ambassador to Tehran, Levan Dzhagaryan, described Tehran-Moscow ties as “strategic”. Ambassador Dzhagaryan made the remarks in an exclusive interview with the 'Tehran Times' conducted on September 24, part of which follows in Wednesday's edition of the English-language newspaper. Q: Now that Iran-Russia are under sanctions, what should they do to counter the sanctions and the unilateralist approach of the West? A: You know this is not the first time that Russia and the former Soviet Union are under the sanctions… The former Soviet Union also was under sanctions… we faced some problems as a result of the sanctions, as well as our partners. I mean, Europeans also suffered problems and difficulties. And it causes both sides to suffer. It is a lose-lose game. But anyway, it’s up to them. I think, sooner or later, these sanctions will be lifted. But for European countries it will be very difficult to return to the Russian market. Because now companies from other countries are trying to come into the Russian market and to occupy relevant areas -- companies from Asian countries, companies from Latin America and so on -- on the one hand. On the other hand, it will be a good opportunity for us to develop our own, let’s say industries of our own, let’s say agriculture, and to reach to some extent, but not completely, self-sufficiency, the same as you (Iranians) have -- I would say –- a rich experience of countering sanctions. I would say that it [sanctions], on the one hand causes a lot of problems, but on the other hand… it is a very good opportunity for us to decrease the level of dependency on other countries… We don’t want to isolate ourselves from, let’s say Europe. We are interested in cooperation with the United States and Europe, but on an equal footing, without interference in our domestic affairs… Q: How can the conflict between Russia and the West, which is mostly about the issue of Ukraine, be resolved? A: I would like to underline that president [Viktor] Yanukovych, the former president of Ukraine, was legally elected as the president of the country in 2010. And [I] myself -- as an observer of the OSCE [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] for the election was… in western Ukraine as an observer. And I would say that all Europeans -- and I mean all international bodies -- have recognized that Mr. Yanukovych was elected as the legal president of Ukraine in a democratic atmosphere. What happened in the last year and at the beginning of this year, we see that it was a provocation which was led by the United States of America, and President Yanukovych was ousted from his post illegally -- illegally. It wasn’t a democratic step. That’s why we criticize our Western partners for interfering in the domestic affairs of Ukraine. I would like to remind you that the Americans attacked Iraq in 2003. It occurred without the authorization of the United Nations Security Council. It was nothing but a blatant violation of international law. Now what are we seeing in Syria? Mainly interventions of the United States and its allies. But it should be approved by the legitimate government of Bashar Assad. Some people in the West say that he is not the legitimate president of the Syrian Arab Republic, but I want to tell them: Who has authorized you to decide for the Syrian people? The Syrian people have to decide for themselves who is their legitimate president. So I want to repeat once again that President Bashar Assad is the legitimate president of the Syrian Arab Republic. And all interventions in this country should be authorized by the president of Syria, and also they should be approved by the Security Council of the UN. Otherwise, it’s a violation of international law, it is obvious to everybody. They can’t do anything they want… And one important point I would like to say on the disappearance of the Malaysian airplane [on August 17, 2014]… You know that the Russian side, in July raised ten questions to Ukraine over the issue, and up to now we have not gotten any answer. That’s why we are waiting, and we insist on clarifying the results of the investigations. What really happened to this Malaysian airplane, and who is -- I mean who must take responsibility -- for this crime? Q: Mr. Ambassador, when Russia said the U.S-led coalition cannot take actions against terrorists in Syria without the authorization of the UN, and the legitimate government of Syria, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said, “I am really rather surprised that Russia would dare to assert any notion of international law after what has happened in eastern Ukraine.” What is your answer? A: First, I would say that it occurred according to a referendum. The majority of the people of [Crimea] supported the decision to rejoin Russia. Because before 1954, it was a part of Russia and it was gifted by the Russian Federation to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Secondly, I would like to remind our American friends and colleagues about the Kosovo issue in 2008. Kosovo was separated unilaterally by force from Serbia. And we have warned them “don’t do that; you will encourage separatism.” But they have done it unilaterally, and totally violated international law… Q: Iran and Russia -- as you yourself said –- have a common approach toward some issues, such as countering Western unilateralism. Russia is also an important member on the 5+1 group which is negotiating with Iran on its nuclear program; Iran is also an observer member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, of which Russia is a key member; and both countries are important exporters of energy as well. In light of all these common interests, are the relations between Iran and Russia strategic or just based on expediency? A: Why not? Because we have common threats from enemies, that’s why I call our relationship “strategic”. Yes, our relationship is strategic. We need each other. And despite the fact that after the dissolution of the Soviet Union… we don’t have any common border on land right now, we are neighbors. The Caspian Sea is the link between Russia and Iran. So I would like to underline once again that we need each other. And we have a lot of common interests. We are members of different organizations. For example, we are members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, and we can cooperate with each other. So the exchange of delegations on different levels -- which I have already mentioned -- will help us boost our cooperation in various political, cultural, and economic fields. By the way, I would like to say this month in October we expect a delegation from Saint Petersburg to visit Isfahan… And it is the Russian answer to the Iranian days in Saint Petersburg -- the days of culture. So we are very active in all these fields. Moreover, our economic collaboration will pay special attention to cooperation between the different regions of Russia and Iranian provinces… I think that inter-regional cooperation is very important cooperation in all fields: culture, policy, the economy. Q: Let’s turn to your experience of Iran. For example, how many years have you been in Iran? And how do you view the Iranian people and their culture? A: It is my second time. The first time I was in Iran for five years, from 1994 to 1999. And my son was born here in Tehran. And now, he is a student at the International Relations University and he learned the Persian language well. I would like to grasp this opportunity and express my deep respect to the Iranian people, to the Iranian culture, for your hospitality and very good attitudes toward the people from other countries, not only from Russia but to everybody from across the globe. And your country is an ancient one. And there is a lot of good sightseeing around the country. And we all (the staff of the Russian Embassy) would like to pay visits to the people and different parts of Iran, especially Kish Island, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, and so on. You know a lot of tourists from Iran go to Russia… thousands and thousands, but the number of Russians coming to Iran is very small. I totally believe that it is because of their unfamiliarity with Iran, its culture and civilization. I would say that for people, not only Russians but other foreigners, too, mostly those who come for the first time to Iran, their attitudes toward Iran are being changed by 180 degrees. When they see with their own eyes what’s happening in Iran in different fields… they can realize and understand better Iranian realities, and it will be difficult to deceive them through anti-Iranian propaganda. I think, in the future, the number of Russians who are eager to come to Iran will increase… I have seen a several provinces of your country, including Sistan-Baluchistan. And I liked Isfahan the best. Isfahan nesf-e jihan [Isfahan is half of the world]./end