Consul Mohsen Fagani: ‘We sell petroleum. We are sellers, and the higher its price, the better’

13-year sanctions

The first question of the meeting referred to the lifted western sanctions. The consul started the conversation with the congratulation on the 37^th anniversary of the victory of the Iranian Revolution and the legitimacy of the activity in the sphere of nuclear energy. Answering the question, Mohsen Fagani noted that after the revolution the United States of America lost their benefit in Iran. It became a reason for imposition of sanctions against the country. The limitations were applied to human rights, armament and nuclear programme. But Iran needed to realize it: agriculture, medicine, pharmaceutics and energy of Iran depended on the nuclear programme.

Mohsen Fagani expressed his hope that relief of sanctions will have a positive impact on the economy of the country

Nevertheless, despite 13 years of sanctions, the government managed to develop many sectors of its economy. Nowadays, when the limitations are off, it allowed the market of Iran to become attractive for foreign investors. Both a large number of trips of the Iranian authority abroad and a large quantity of return visits demonstrate it. Mohsen Fagani expressed his hope that relief of sanctions would have a positive impact on the economy of the country.

Iran is not involved in oil price fall

Iran is one of the key petroleum exporters in the world. The country has been extracting and exporting black gold for about 110 years. So, Acting General Consul of Iran stated that the government is interested in sale of hydrocarbons for a price it supposes to be correct.

In his opinion, oil price fall has no connection with the return of Iran to export market. He does not know what slumped oil prices from $140 to $35 within two years but he is convinced that it was not Iran's comeback.

Acting General Consul of Iran marked that his country as an exporter is interested in high oil price: 'We sell petroleum. The higher its price, the better because we are sellers.'

In his opinion, oil price fall has no connection with the return of Iran to export market

'Close friendship…'

Russia supported the country during the sanction period. It helped the relationships between the countries to develop. The guest of the editorial noted that, as a result, it opens new opportunities for Russia's presence in the region. In recent times, especially during the last two years, the relationships with Russia became more active. Fagani said that it was the closest level of the contacts for all history of bilateral relationships our countries ever reached. '10 events of the heads of our countries were held. The head of the Ministers of Exterior Affairs and sectoral ministers also met. Representatives of Majlises also paid visits.'

The parties achieved profitable economic agreements for this time. For instance, Russia opened its market for delivery of Iranian agricultural products (fish, meat, fruits and vegetables).

'I think that new conditions for the development of bilateral collaboration appeared after when sanctions in the banking and economic sphere were lifted,' Fagani added.

I think that new conditions for the development of bilateral collaboartion appeared after when sanctions in the banking and economic sphere were lifted

In Acting General Consul of Iran's view, the volume of commodity turnover is lower than it should be, along with it. Before the imposition of the sanctions, the turnover made up $4bn, now it is less than $2bn. 'The potential of the two countries is above this indicator. I suppose that in the current situation, the volume of commodity turnover might increase,' Mohsen Fagani noted.

Your product – our merchant, and vice versa

'Trade is a bilateral process. One party is to buy, and another one is to sell. Iran has products that are interesting for Russia as well as Russia had interesting commodities for Iran,' Fagani noticed. According to him, apart from agricultural products, collaboration in the sphere of automobile components might be developed.

For instance, Iran might work directly with Tatarstan in this sphere. Tatarstan also has a good potential for export of products to Iran. To take one example, grain, lorries and products of heavy industry could be included in the list. Mohsen Fagani added that TAIF, KAMAZ and Tatneft are known in Iran. Now the authority of the country and enterprises discuss the possibility to strengthen their collaboration and increase the activity of industrialists of Tatarstan in Iran.

Kazan is famous for football and volleyball

Acting General Consul of Iran named tourism as another interesting sphere for work with Tatarstan. He told that a tourist international exhibition has opened these days. A delegation of Tatarstan headed by the head of the State Committee of Tatarstan on Tourism Sergey Ivanov takes part there.

Fagani noted an especial popularity of Zenit and Rubin 'every schoolkid' heard about

In Fagani's opinion, we should act in order to make the Iranian tourists come to Tatarstan and vice versa. So, air travel is to be adjusted. The first steps on the development of this area have been taken. Acting General Consul of Iran reminded that visa regime was used between the countries. In particular, the citizens of the Russian Federation might get the visa upon arrival at the International Airport of Iran.

Realnoe Vremya told that Russia and Iran were going to expand the flight network. Kazan joined the number of the cities of the Russian Federation that would have direct flights to this country.

The very Iranians are interested in the capital of Tatarstan. Fagani said that our city was quite famous. He noted an especial popularity of Zenit and Rubin 'every schoolkid' heard about.