SOCIETY 378

SOCIETY
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.
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 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.
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?
H.E. Abbas Bagherpour Ardekani and SOCIETY-publisher Gerti Tauchhammer at the Embassy of Iran
IRAN
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