Final Iran Nuclear Deal Should Be “Balanced, Fair”: Greek MP
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A member of Greece’s Hellenic Parliament said an ultimate accord between Iran and six world powers on Tehran’s nuclear program should be balanced and fair, and called on West to not spoil the talks by hurrying Iran into doing unacceptable things.
In an interview with the Tasnim News Agency, Greek MP Eva Kaili has commented on the prospect of Tehran-Athens relations, and expressed her views on the latest developments regarding the talks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.
The following is the full text of her interview with Tasnim:
Q: How do you see the bilateral relations between Iran and Greece?
Greece and Iran have a long-standing tradition of very close relationships. These relationship was consolidated further during the financial crisis when there was an endangering of the energy resources of Greece in an event of a financial collapse. Iran was there for us to supply our energy needs in a very difficult period for Greece, and we cannot forget it. This crisis generated robust dynamics for a fruitful common engagement in every level, both governmental and in the Track II, civil society levels. This dynamic should keep its momentum and give opportunity for further cultural exchange, scientific cooperation, trade partnerships in the field of pharmaceutical equipment and products, energy and energy transportation. I hope that soon, we will be ready in Athens and Tehran for an active road map that will bring us closer.
Q: If the Western sanctions are lifted, will Iran be a good market for the European companies, especially the Greeks?
I was always skeptical for the isolation that international community has posed to people of Iran. It prohibited us from building an understanding. Those years were years lost and we need to speed up in order to re-gain the opportunities we missed all these decades. Greek companies, especially shipping firms, were always and continuously trying to hold a relationship with Iran. This places Greece in a favorable position comparing to other nations.
Though Iran is not completely unknown to us, we need to educate our business community about the markets of Iran and its business environment. This is a policy that the Iranian government should undertake as soon as possible. Our trade relationships are approximately 2,500 years old. We both need to make those steps forward. Strategically, Greece is one of the most reliable steps of Iran toward the Western economic world in general, and EU in particular.
Q: What is your opinion about the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and group of six world powers in Vienna?
The negotiations have reached a very delicate point. Of course, we should be very determined about the prospects of a successful outcome. The stakes are big for all the parties involved but the final agreement, in order to be honored, should be balanced and fair.
The West should consider the political significance that these negotiations have for the internal political stakeholders in Tehran and allow them to proceed in a time pace that is comfortable for them. There is no reason to press or hurry Iran to do things that is not ready to accept. This will sabotage the entire process and will inflate the suspicion between the counterparts. Finally the length of the agreement as well as its details should be realistic. Iran is a major geopolitical player in Middle East and Central Asia and we should treat it as a partner, not as a "regional problem". I am optimistic that today more and more governments understand it.
Q: What do you think about Washington’s recent decision to deny Iran's UN pick Aboutalebi a visa? Do you think the host country has the right to meddle with appointing the representatives to the UN?
It was a double-edged knife decision. It is not wise to "make politics" with the diplomatic delegations. It is time for both the countries to forget the practices of the past and act with their view turned toward the future and not to the past.
Q: What is your prediction about the upcoming European Parliament elections?
It is going to be a difficult election between two major groups. Those who believe that Europe should be a well-defended fortress excluding anybody else, and those, like me, who believe in an open society which is possible to welcome and be benefited from every new collaboration and cultural exchange. A euroskeptical and backward looking majority will benefit nobody.
