A Multidimensional Relationship: Society Magazine’s interview with Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran in Austria
Dr. Abbas Bagherpour Ardekani, Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran in Austria made an interview with Society Magazine and spoke about the continuing relationship between Austria and Iran and their exchange.
The text of this interview is as follow:
A Multidimensional Relationship
Our existing bilateral relations are multidimensional. Considering the great potential of our countries in many different terms, there is no impediment on the way of expansion of bilateral relations.
H.E. Abbas Bagherpour Ardekani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran spoke with SOCIETY about the continuing relationship between Austria and Iran and their exchange.
Austria and Iran can look back on a longstanding relationship. How would you describe this partnership? Which are the most important areas and aspects of exchange?
It is now 162 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and Austria through the signing of the first friendship treaty, which resulted 15 years later in the opening of the Austrian Embassy in Tehran and later the Iranian Embassy in Vienna. But the ties between Iran and Austria go back to five centuries earlier as it is evident in the formal correspondence between the Safavid Dynasty and the Habsburg Monarchy as well as the exchange of diplomatic delegates in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 19th century, our bilateral relations were expanded particularly in cultural, social and scientific dimensions. It is worth mentioning that the first modern school in Iran-Tehran Polytechnic, known as „Darolfonoon“, was established in 1851, with the support of Austrian professors. Since then, our nations have developed a solid and steady relationship. Iran was among the first nations which gave recognition to the establishment of the Republic of Austria in 1920. Iran is a country with rich natural resources and an educated population. For many years, Iran was Austria’s second biggest trade partner outside Europe and Austria was among the first five trade partners of Iran.
Which aspects of this relationship do you seek to improve during your term? What are your main goals and objectives?
Our existing bilateral relations are multidimensional. Considering the great potential of our countries in many different terms, there is no impediment on the way of expansion of bilateral relations. Regarding the economy, there are abundant opportunities for investment in Iran in the area of energy, road and railway, banking and insurance, tourism, research and technology and development of southern ports and the corridors linking southern waters to Central Asia. Iran has also gained remarkable progress in the new fields of sciences including biotechnology, nanotechnology, biomedicine, aerospace, etc. We are ready to have extensive cooperation with Austria in those areas and we have established numerous channels and structures to make it happen. It may be worth mentioning that at the European level, Austria has been a pioneer for promoting relations with Iran during different epochs, for example the first high level European delegation going to Iran after the signing of JCPOA (nuclear deal) was headed by President Fischer of Austria who visited our country in September 2015, even before its entry into effect. In turn, we had two historic official visits by President Khatami and President Rohani to Austria. I am thus mandated to do my utmost to strengthen this constructive partnership.
The Austrian Cultural Forum in Teheran seeks to connect Austrian and Iranian Scientists, Artist and Students. What is the intercultural dialogue between the Iranian Community with Austrians in Vienna like?
The cultural cooperation has touched every part, including architecture, books, museums, theaters, music, universities and even inter-religious dialogue. In February this year, a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cultural ties was signed. One great advantage I am enjoying is the high qualified and incredibly talented Iranians that are living in Austria. It is expected that around forty thousand Iranian nationals are living in Austria including more than 2000 medical doctors, and many engineers, university professors, researchers, businessmen, etc. We are truly proud of them. As such, their positive role in Austrian Society has been frequently acknowledged by high level officials of Austria. The Austrian Cultural Forum in Tehran with more than 60 years of activity, as one of the oldest foreign cultural centers in Iran has been proactive as well. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to you and the reputable Society Magazine for the efforts done to introduce the existing capacities for cooperation between the two countries, especially in the cultural field, organizing an annual event on the occasion of “Nowruz” for example.
Many international organizations are headquartered in Vienna. How does this fact influence the bilateral dialogue?
We appreciate the constructive role of Austria by hosting and facilitating the negotiations between Iran and P5+1, which resulted in the land-mark international agreement known as the JCPOA, or what is also rightly called the “Vienna Agreement”. We have collectively proven how diplomacy works and that it helps all nations. To realize the objectives of human dignity and peace, security and development for all, collective cooperation is imperative to address the current multi-faceted global challenges. To that end, we should practice dialogue, in order to understand each other and find the best solution, based on mutual respect and interest.
for reading the electronic version of this magazine, see the below link:
https://www.yumpu.com/de/document/view/65047766/society-378