Doha- Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Owaishek, stressed that Iran's approval of the principles and foundations governing dialogue and relations between the countries of the region, and the discussion of all outstanding issues between the two sides without exception, including border issues and the nuclear file, will achieve a qualitative leap in dialogue.

The Al Jazeera Center for Studies, in cooperation with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations in Iran, organized the second session of the "Arab-Iranian Dialogue" over a period of 3 days, with the aim of reaching a common convergence of views on "the most appropriate security model for Arab-Iranian relations", taking into account the repercussions of crises and conflicts that erupted in the region over the past years.

In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, Al-Owaishek said that the Iranian participants in this session of dialogue agreed to discuss the nuclear file with the GCC countries, whether directly or through the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is a positive gesture and a tangible development in the Arab-Iranian dialogue, considering that the foundations for the success of this dialogue must be built on the existence of common ground and mutual acceptance of the rules and topics of dialogue.

The following is the text of the interview:

Al-Owaishek (right) stressed that the biggest obstacle to the Arab-Iranian dialogue is the rumination of history and the entrenchment in its templates (Al-Jazeera)

How do you see the organization of the second session of the Arab-Iranian dialogue in the State of Qatar?

The timing of the session was well chosen, as it came after the Arab Summit in Jeddah on May 18, when the vision became clearer regarding Arab-Iranian relations, and after the two meetings held between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran under the auspices of the People's Republic of China in Beijing between March 10 and April 6, where the decision to restore diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and Iran contributed to bringing some views closer and the desire to reach understandings on some issues.

What are the main positives of the Arab-Iranian dialogue sessions?

The dialogue sessions resulted in a tangible development in the Arab-Iranian dialogue, as the speakers reached after a long period of intense discussion that the Iranian side welcomed discussing its nuclear file with the Gulf countries, after the Secretary-General of the Strategic Council for Foreign Relations in Iran, Abbas Araqchi, said, "Tehran has no objection to discussing its nuclear file with the Gulf countries, whether directly or through the Atomic Energy Organization," which is an important development that must be built upon, especially since Iran in the past was She refuses to discuss this file altogether.

What are the most important outstanding files between the Gulf states and Iran?

There are many outstanding files, as the Gulf countries do not agree to the continuation of foreign interference in the affairs of Arab countries, including Iran's interventions, through militias and armed organizations of a sectarian or ethnic nature, which led to the disruption or obstruction of the political process in a number of Arab countries, and they believe that the management of the affairs of these countries should be left to their leaders and citizens, and we hope that Iran will play its role in implementing the principles it agreed to in the Beijing statement.

Another point of contention that will take time in the dialogue is the issue of the role of the international community in the region, as Iran does not want any role for the international community in the region, while we believe that there is a possible role for the international community in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, by protecting waterways and combating piracy, organized crime, and arms smuggling.

Does the positive political atmosphere in the region augur well for understandings?

I think that the atmosphere is now ripe for the success of the Arab-Iranian dialogue, especially since the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement paved the way and made an important progress, through the statement issued between Saudi Arabia and Iran last March, which mentioned some of the agreed foundations of the two countries, as well as the restoration of diplomatic relations between them.

The first is the affirmation of respect for the sovereignty of States, which means respect for their borders, national unity, territorial integrity and political independence.

The second is non-interference in internal affairs, which means not using religious and sectarian differences within states for political purposes, not fueling or inciting sectarian differences, and not using religion as part of foreign policy means.

These two points are among the most important issues that were hindering progress in the dialogue with Iran, and therefore Iran's approval of them in principle is a positive gesture and a step in the right direction for the success of the dialogue, but disagreement may occur when these provisions begin to be implemented, which requires continuing dialogue on their implementation.

The second session of the Arab-Iranian dialogue witnessed the participation of a group of Arab and Iranian experts and politicians (Al Jazeera)

What are the most important obstacles witnessed during the Arab-Iranian dialogue sessions?

The main point that always hinders Arab-Iranian dialogue and should be avoided is to restore or ruminate on history and events that occurred in the past, each side has a certain narrative that may be useful for history books, but in dialogue it may complicate reaching an agreement, so it is necessary to install common rules and things that we agree on and build on.

I think that the insistence of some participants on the Iranian side to ruminate on previous events is useless, such as talking about Saddam Hussein's invasion of Iran, a historical event that we can disagree on in judging, but what is certain is that Iraq's invasion of Iran was preceded by actions by the Iranian regime in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and the formation of terrorist cells with sectarian demands in support of Iran, and splitting ranks, and Iran is not innocent as some speakers tried to highlight its role.

Therefore, portraying that everything goes back to Iraq's invasion of Iran is a simplification and flattening of history and an attempt to change the course of dialogue, since the first day of the Iranian revolution there was talk of exporting the revolution, and they took actual measures in training and financing terrorist networks, whether in Iraq, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, as for the accounts of Iranian participants about the nature of Iran's interventions in Arab countries, there is a clear disagreement between the two sides about this. Therefore, re-digging up these topics will hinder dialogue in the future, and it is better to have a future outlook that focuses on new consensuses.

What are the Gulf states' demands for Iran to establish normal relations with them?

There is no doubt that the peoples on both sides of the Gulf aspire to security, peace and stability prevailing in the Gulf and the Arab region in general, and for relations with Iran to regain their vitality and cultural and human depth that they have known throughout the long history of common.

There are very important issues on which we disagree, and this is normal, but between us economic and strategic interests, historical ties and cultural commonalities, which requires that we seek to resolve these differences, and we may not be able to resolve them all, so let's agree to manage what we disagree on by political and diplomatic means, in accordance with international standards.

In order to establish normal relations with Iran, there must be foundations that define this relationship, the most important of which is adherence to the principles governing relations among States, including good-neighbourliness, respect for the national sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and non-interference in their internal affairs, which are fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

What are the main issues that must be addressed in order to reach normal relations between the countries of the region and Iran?

These are the issues included in the statement of the last Arab summit on May 18 in Jeddah, and the statement of the Gulf summit last December in Riyadh, and can be divided into 5 main tracks:

  • The political and diplomatic track to discuss regional crises, such as Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, with the aim of encouraging political solutions, in accordance with international resolutions, rejecting the use or threat of force to achieve political goals, as well as limiting nuclear proliferation, enhancing nuclear safety, achieving compliance with international agreements, as well as limiting the proliferation of missiles and drones, especially to non-state parties.
  • The security track to discuss terrorism, sectarian militias and other armed groups operating outside the framework of the law.
  • Economic track to discuss enhancing trade and investment exchange among the countries of the region, including investment in renewable energy.
  • Environmental sustainability track to discuss the possibilities of cooperation to rehabilitate the marine environment of the Gulf, and joint action to address the effects of climate change.
  • Cultural track, to revive the rich cultural exchange between Arabs and Iran.

Al-Owaishek believes that the second session of the Arab-Iranian dialogue witnessed positive indicators and tangible development (Al Jazeera)

Why has the Arab-Iranian dialogue not reached tangible results during the past period?

One of the main reasons for the lack of tangible results in the dialogue is the lack of consensus on the principles that should govern the dialogue, and thus the relations between the GCC countries and Iran, then the divisions within the Iranian establishment at the time on these matters, as well as the disagreement over the role of the international community and the United Nations in resolving the issues of the region.

During the past years, there have been contacts between the GCC and the Iranian government, and we have tried to reach mutually acceptable bases for dialogue, followed by confidence-building measures, and then negotiations on outstanding issues.

Is there a possibility of economic and security integration between the Gulf states and Iran?

The possibility certainly exists, and there was a common desire announced at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Doha in 2007, which was attended by former Iranian President Ahmadinejad, and indeed recommendations were reached to enter into negotiations to establish a free trade area that brings together Iran and the GCC countries, but the lack of progress in the political track led to the cessation of the economic track, and then the negotiations stopped after Iran's subsequent preoccupation with the 2009 elections and the accompanying events, and then the events of the Arab Spring that took Iran and the GCC countries Divergent attitudes towards it.

But there is no doubt that starting steps for economic integration between the Gulf states and Iran is linked to reaching a common base politically and starting confidence-building steps, the most important of which is non-escalation and reducing tension in all conflict areas in the region, as well as providing confidence for Gulf investors in the economic, political and security environment in Iran. Iran's economy is now in a vulnerable position that is not commensurate with Iran's huge potential, and Iran can strengthen its economic position by focusing on the inside and reforming the economic situation to attract investors.

How do you see a regional economic alliance that includes the Gulf states and Iran?

Countries in the region can play a greater role in international trade if they act collectively and exploit their unique position, rather than wasting their economic resources on regional conflicts and arms races, nuclear, missile and conventional. The GCC countries prefer to focus on enhancing the prosperity of their citizens and development in all its dimensions, economic, social and humanitarian, and achieving economic diversification necessary for future sustainability.

Iran also has many data that enable it to achieve similar results, as it has natural resources, promising youth, scientists and researchers to achieve real economic growth in integration with its neighbors.