A New Definition of Democracy

A New Era Opens: Iran is clearly experiencing a new era since President Khatami’s administration took over in 1997. This era poses a necessity of a parallel reform in national and international treatments within the framework of national interests. Safeguarding our philosophies and principles, we must adopt a realistic approach toward domestic and global challenges.
The new policies of Iran to achieve political, cultural and economic reform, clarify strategies, alleviate tensions, and enhance a suitable atmosphere for dialogue between nations and not just between governments were mainly based on two doctrines:
First, promoting a dialogue among civilizations instead of clash among civilizations. Second, appreciation for a civil society and establishment of institutions that would act free of political motives. As a result, people and nations would join together to prompt a change of behavior in governments. I believe this rule of people in national and international levels is in fact a new definition of democracy which is the most outstanding achievement of dialogue among civilizations.

A Manifest of Reforms: The manifest of recent reforms has well positioned Iran as a reliable partner for economic cooperation and investment. Some of the accomplishments in this regard were improved relations with the European Union, insurance coverage for trade with European countries, reduction of investment risk in Iran, opening of large credit lines for the country, and enthusiasm of foreign investors toward the Iranian market.
I will never forget what the director general of Italy’s SACE told President Khatami when I was accompanying the President in his landmark visit to Rome. The Italian official said, “Mr. President, I don’t know what you have done. But I can see the effects of your behavior in my organization. In the past, it was the Iranian organizations that urged us to establish insurance coverage for their deals. Today, it is the Italian companies that are pressing us to agree with further insurance coverage for Iran. This is the greatest guarantee for SACE to raise the insurance coverage for Iran.”

WTO and the Third Plan: The Third Economic Development Plan of Iran draws a new economic structure based on such objectives as privatization, reform of administrative procedures, elimination of excessive regulations, revision of monetary and banking system, restructuring state-owned companies and elimination of government monopolies, encouragement of exports and approving the establishment of private banks and insurance companies.
Permission of foreign investment in formerly-banned sectors such as mines, housing, telecoms and infrastructure all indicate a national aspiration for practical reform.
Ambitions of the Third Development Plan include creation of 800,000 jobs per year, achieving $40 billion of non-oil exports, alleviation of poverty and a fair distribution of income, revision of tax system and amendment of the Law for Attraction and Protection of Foreign Investment. These are some indispensable steps that must be taken to prepare the country for the Third Millennium.

Addressing the World: Iran is realizing how essential it is to join the world trade team that now manifests as WTO. We must benefit from the new order of global trade, make the most of the available time to fulfill economic reform and finally, enter the global village based on our own scenario not according to principles dictated by others
There is no doubt that start of every cooperation demands an introduction of our potentials, opportunities and even our limits. International conferences can serve as another link to international community. They can be instrumental in understanding each other, addressing the concerns of potential investors and paving the way for economic cooperation.
It is important for these events to deal with all sectors that are prepared to receive foreign investment. Moreover, they should be attended by key authorities in all economic, banking, foreign exchange, taxation and foreign investment sectors. A strong backing in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the body which monitors all international relations would also be an advantage.
In conclusion, I would like to stress that we are at the beginning. All reciprocal benefits must be addressed in any cooperation that require understanding each other and the necessity to change. A slow movement in the right direction is much better than a quick progress toward nowhere. We hope to be efficient tools in directing the country on the way of international cooperation.