Pillars of Iranian Policy

Dialogue among civilizations and détente constitute the two pillars of Iran’s policy in the international arena

I am confident that scholars and thinkers play a large role in the promotion of cooperation and understanding. This is a trend that is blossoming all over the world, including the sensitive and strategic region of the Persian Gulf. It is hoped that the strategies and ideas presented by experts will further melt away the frost of mistrust between the nations of the region and the world.
Presently we are witnessing the occurrence of fundamental changes and the emergence of new issues, on the world stage. The globalization of economics, culture and politics, has presented the countries of the region and the rest of the world with new challenges and opportunities. The establishment of telecommunication and information networks, joint investment opportunities, promotion of tourism, and the formation of a collective regional identity are among the opportunities that globalization has created. On the other hand, issues such as environmental degradation, organized crime, terrorism, drug trade and illegal immigration rank among the dark challenges of globalization and need to be met with a collective effort.
The recent crisis that engulfed South East Asia and its sociopolitical fallout, not only demonstrated the mutual vulnerability of nations, but also proved the interdependence of political, social and economic matters. It also highlighted the possibility of instability advancing from one region to the next. This experience tells us that in an interdependent world, it is possible to be mutually vulnerable. Thus, nations of the Persian Gulf region cannot afford to be indifferent to the challenges and opportunities that are being created by globalization. It is vital to coordinate the economic policies of the Persian Gulf states in order to face global challenges, encourage greater commercial activity and further promote the welfare of nations.
To secure their dominant positions, globally powerful economies are fast converging. The same must be done by the Persian Gulf states. That is why, the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the establishment of a common regional economic framework to consolidate the existing economic ties, increase the exchange of services and technical information and conduct joint industrial projects.
We are also facing serious cultural challenges. The rapid development of information and telecommunication technology has similarly affected the pace of cultural susceptibility. The progression of this trend can lead to the erosion of cultural identities and bring about political and social instability. Experience shows that neither the stockpiles of weapons nor reliance on foreign powers has ensured the security of the Persian Gulf countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that establishment of détente and confidence-building and promotion of the culture of dialogue and understanding among all the Persian Gulf regional states are the only ways to ensure the security of the regional countries.
Thanks to the policy of détente initiated by the administration of President Khatami, the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the regional states have reached their highest level in recent years, resulting in an increase in cooperation on petroleum which has benefited all the regional countries.
There are currently proper grounds for socioeconomic cooperation among the regional states including the protection of the Persian Gulf environment, expansion of the network of sea, air and land routes, promotion of trade cooperation, exploitation of the potentials of free trade zones and promotion of tourism. Iran welcomes any cooperation which may serve to improve the situation of the people of the Persian Gulf states and promote understanding in the region. Dialogue among civilizations and détente constitute the two pillars of Iran’s policy in the international arena.
Sustainable cooperation calls for continued exchange of views. In the age of globalization, dialogue and détente will provide us with the tools and mechanisms required to capture the opportunities and confront the challenges.