"The United States has indirectly benefited from sanctions against Iran"
Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry Hossein Esfahbodi says that sanctions against Iran have served the interests of France. Interview.
The CAC 40 is holding its breath. At one month of the expiry of the deadline for the conclusion of a final agreement on the Iranian nuclear talks resume in Vienna between Iran and the 5 +1 (the five countries of the Security Council + the Germany ). The objective for the international community, is to ensure that Iran does not develop an atomic bomb. For Tehran, it is for the lifting of sanctions that stifle the Iranian economy. What dangle Western companies lucrative contracts with a country of 80 million inhabitants, with moreover the second gas reserves in the world and fourth in oil. While in Paris , Dr. Hossein Esfahbodi, Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry and President of the International Exhibitions Company Iran says the Point.fr that sanctions against Iran have served the interests of France and benefited the United States. Maintenance.
The Point.fr: negotiations on the Iranian nuclear can they quickly reach a final agreement?
Hossein Esfahbodi: I am very optimistic, especially that from the beginning the negotiation process was transparent. Everyone reaches out. Delegations are increasing in Iran. Watch France: two hundred entrepreneurs belonging to the MEDEF delegation visited the country in February, while eight hundred people had signed up to come! The negotiations were successful, and many countries have followed. Germany, Italy, Korea, the delegations from around the world.
But it is of economic, political delegations not ...
That is true. But it is the economy that dictates its law in this world. And countries have succeeded in Iran, many of whom were not only made in recent years. And when they set foot in Tehran, they were surprised to see a powerful country, with plenty of opportunities for economic investment, as recalled the recent delegation of the Committee on Finance of the Senate came to end Iran April. This is why I am optimistic.
Do you have signed agreements with the MEDEF?
Most French business leaders saw their Iranian counterparts and wish to start a collaboration. There was a series of agreements, contracts have actually been signed, but with the sanctions, companies do not go either to shout from the rooftops. It is likely that some, with the own way they found, have already been implemented.
By unlawful means?
Not at all. Legal channels. Many activities can be legally made in Iran through smaller structures, smaller banks. Do you really think that our country rested for all these years? That all companies were out? We continued to work. But it was harder, raw materials were more expensive for both sellers and customers. For example, we easily continued our trade with Italy or Germany. On the one hand, because the gap between their government and the private sector is smaller and, secondly, because it is easier to work with smaller amounts. We also continued to export worldwide. Now, the group of 5 + 1 lifted some sanctions. I hear around me that had a positive impact, not only on the psychological level. Production and exports are rising. When the economy is accelerating, I feel that we are getting closer to a political solution.
An Iranian politician, who recently traveled to Paris, deplored the delay in France politically compared to other European countries ...
This is actually harder for what the French government, not the private sector, even though France is lagging behind other countries. On the political level, some countries such as France are much more conservative than others. This attitude they will not be profitable.
In Iran, the firmness of France on nuclear seems to have left traces.
All these issues are set aside for what is the economy. It is said that if Peugeot has left Iran, it is he who pays the price today, even though we too have suffered, but much less than men. Today, Peugeot and all other companies that want to come to Iran are welcome. It is in all our interests.
However, thundering declarations of Laurent Fabius has earned him the nickname Little Satan in Iran ...
Iranian officials do not think so. They want to restore the bonds of friendship so that both parties can benefit. When my interest in me dictates that you disrespected me there are six months of no consequence. You know, they say that the conflict has no place in business. Now, two candidates, we choose the one that we did not hurt.
Iran also criticizes U.S. sanctions, which have forced companies like Peugeot and Renault to leave the country ...
One example: we organized it two months ago a seminar on oil. The United States were present. You must understand that. The facts show that Americans have indirectly benefited from the sanctions, to the detriment of Europeans. This means that they have sanctioned Iran, that Europeans have suffered and the Americans have benefited through other countries. Let me ask you a question: why should we, because of the attitude of the Americans, a country such as France towards its own interests be upset? Imagine that in your family, prohibits a person you do one thing and that same person does not apply the same discipline to his side. This situation is acceptable?
Do not you enjoy the competition between American and French companies to quickly get a final agreement on nuclear?
Altogether. I am very optimistic about the conclusion late July a very good agreement that will benefit the world.