NOURNEWS - The Emir of the State of Qatar received the Iranian president, Monday, during an official visit to Doha. While the two sides emphasized the friendly and brotherly relations that took place in recent years, the two sides stressed the need to develop and expand relations between the two countries in various fields, as these relations constitute a component of joint regional cooperation.
This visit, which marked a turning point in the relations between the two countries, brought important messages and achievements.
This visit can be viewed as a continuation of the 13th Government's active, balanced, pragmatic and outcome oriented diplomacy that has been implemented in recent months. It also expresses, on the one hand, the strategy of expanding relations with neighboring countries, and on the other hand, the movement within the framework of national interests and the achievement of tangible achievements, especially in the economic field.
President Raisi’s visit to Qatar, which led to the signing of 14 important and practical agreements between the two countries, can be evaluated with continued visits of regional and non-regional officials to Tehran, Iranian officials’ visit to China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Nicaragua, attendance at the Munich Security Conference and the upcoming visit to Africa, along with Iran's participation in the Vienna talks with the 4+1 group.
The combination of these diplomatic moves, which shows the determination of the 13th government to "diversify its foreign policy capabilities", was accompanied by several economic gains, as Iranian customs statistics show an increase in the country's exports and imports.
Iran has 15 neighbors, and the thirteenth government has put on its agenda the creation of appropriate atmosphere and conditions to achieve comprehensive and inclusive relations with these neighbors.
Tehran emphasizes that its neighbors have the ability to solve problems and achieve common interests, and the presence of foreigners in the region only exacerbates differences and insecurity in the region.
The current situation in Iraq and Syria, the irresponsible withdrawal of the United States and NATO from Afghanistan, the crisis in Yemen and the current crisis in Ukraine have shown that the West has never been dependable and that the only solution to the challenges is the rapprochement of neighbors.
Importantly, contrary to the US approach, which sees its military might as a tool for domination, the Islamic Republic has developed its defense capabilities within the framework of regional and neighborly security, and the active fight against terrorism imposed on the region and efforts to crack down on economic terrorism are evidence.
In other words, Iran's neighborhood-centric vision is defined and implemented not only in the context of bilateral relations but also in the form of regional convergence and capacity building to solve challenges with without the need for foreigners.
Another important dimension of this visit is attending the meeting of the members of the Cooperation Treaty on Gas Exporting Countries and Iran's constructive plans and initiatives to activate this gas agreement, an approach that has already been achieved by Iran's permanent membership in the Shanghai Agreement at the Tajikistan Summit and ECO activation in Turkmenistan meeting.
Members of the Assembly of Gas Exporting Countries control 44% of world gas production, 60% of world gas reserves, 64% of pipeline gas transmission and 66% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade and Iran, as one of the first three owners of gas resources in the world, has an undeniable role in this structure, and even the West cannot ignore it.
The active presence in this area determines Iran's global relations because Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela are 11 major members of the GECIF, and the Netherlands, Norway, Iraq, Oman, Peru, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates participate as observer members of the Gas Exporting Countries Association.
The point is that, the Ukraine crisis and the United States' struggle to use energy as an instrument of power and pressure on countries makes it important for energy owners to pay attention to Iran's initiatives and plans to strengthen OPEC and the gas agreement.
BY: Mohammad Ghaderi
NOURNEWS