 The 16h International Conference on Central Asia & the Caucasus
" Confrontation in the Caucasus: Roots, Dimensions & Implications"
28-29 October 2008, Tehran
In the Name of God, the Companionate the Merciful
Address by H. E. Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the I.R.Iran
I am pleased to offer you warm welcome and express my deep pleasure to attend this learned gathering of esteemed thinkers, scholars, officials and distinguished ambassadors. I also wish to use this opportunity to thank the organizers of this conference and hope that the themes of the conference which focus on the most important issues of a very crucial region of the world will generate clear findings and results on the roots, dimensions and consequences of the on-going rivalry and confrontation in the Caucasus.
The Caucasus is an important region of strategic interest to regional and trans-regional players thanks to its cultural fabric and strategic location. The Caucasus is located between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, in the south of the Russian Federation and the north west of the Islamic Republic of Iran, bridging the Muslim and Christian worlds and marking the borders between Europe and Asia.
In spite of its geopolitical significance and location as well as its characteristics and capacities, the Caucasus is now confronted with numerous threats and problems. Security is one of the gravest challenges facing the regional states.
Different efforts now underway to create the requited security arrangements and mechanisms in the region bear witness to the importance of security and stability issues in the process of regional developments. In my opinion, in defining and assessing the roots, dimensions and outlook of rivalry and confrontation in the Caucasus, following elements should be taken into consideration;
1) Expansion and deepening of the concept to security to include numbers of other areas in this concept.
2) Coherent efforts to create and establish sustainable security arrangements in the region,
3) Deepening mutual economic ties at regional and international level while taking into consideration the issue of energy and energy-transmission lines as well as the issue of regional transportation and transit,
4) Promoting the role of non-governmental players especially transnational companies,
5) Regional crises,
6) Cultural, social and ethnic issues in the Caucasus,
7) Interaction among regional and trans-regional powers in the Caucasus,
8) The role and impact of regional and trans-regional organizations.
With regard to the influence of the afore-mentioned elements in the process of developments and challenges, of the region, the following issues can be taken into consideration;
1) Existence of various crises in the region and the efforts made by the countries the region and trans-regional bodies to manage these crises.
2) Intensified of presence and competition of trans-regional countries and currents in the region,
3) Economic problems and low level of welfare and living standards in the region
4) Militarization process that will cause an arms race in mid-term and long term in the region with dire consequences for the regional balance.
Distinguished audience:
Today, the world has turned in to a collection of integrated units and this integration is further mounting owing to the expansion of international communication. From this perspective any crises in any region impacts other parts of the world.
By the same token, recent developments in the Caucasus show inseparable links between regional and international security. Therefore, the need for redefining the regional ties based on the evolving needs and situation at this crucial time is of great importance. On the other hand, these developments, more than ever have proved that lack of security and instability are in favor of no ones and the countries of the region should remove the grounds and excuses of trans-regional countries for their presence in the region by cooperation and exercise of wisdom and foresight.
With no doubt, political stability in Caucasus is closely linked to economic stability so much so that any kind of instability in the region will impede the appropriate use of the advantageous geographic and economic situation of the Caucasus which intersects the South, North, East and the West.
Geographical and economic advantages along with tourist attractions and flow of energy (gas pipeline, oil and electricity transmission lines) play a key role in economic and social development of the Caucasus and act as an important element in developing regional integration and cooperation.
Honorable Participants
The Caucasus is in dire need of strengthening sustainable and coherent development as well as mutual confidence. In this regard, the Islamic Republic of Iran gives top priority to its relations with neighboring countries on the basis of mutual respect and interests, provision of stability and security through regional cooperation, rejection of foreign intervention and influence in the region, and making efforts to solving regional crises and conflicts.
In this field, the balanced positions of Islamic Republic of Iran vis-à-vis the recent changes and developments and also its emphasis on solving regional crises peacefully should be seen in the said context. In other words, the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks its national security in close connection with regional security and this regard it believes its national security of Iran shall be best served through establishment of peace, stability and security in the region.
Therefore, Iran as a powerful country which is located in the neighborhood of the Caucasus is well aware of its role and duties in preserving, strengthening and promoting peace and security in this region and has so far spared no efforts in this regard. In this context, the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Iran for solving economic problems of the countries of the region during the early years of independence of these states, its continuous endeavor for solving the existing crises in the region and its support for the reconstruction of economic infrastructures and development processes in the region by providing economic, technical, energy and transport facilities should be taken into consideration.
The Islamic republic of Iran believes that the joint efforts of the regional states to reduce the grounds and consequences of confrontation and rivalry in this sensitive region are an indispensable necessity. In this regard, the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes that the presence and increasing influence of trans-regional currents not only will not be useful in solving the regional problems but they will further complicate the problems. Of course, this does not mean that we should not use the positive potentialities and capabilities of trans-regional countries.
On this basis, the present opportunities, challenges, threats and needs require that the regional states envisage appropriate joint mechanisms for creating understanding and cooperation on the basis of collective interests and security and make further efforts for removing common threats and use effectively the existing potentialities and possibilities for that purpose.
So, in view of the importance of the above-mentioned issues and also the sensitivity of the current situation in the Caucasus, I had meetings with the esteemed foreign ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Germany. We believe that such consultations can help find a framework for continuous dialogues and meeting of minds regarding regional developments and security arrangements in the Caucasus and at the same time help strengthen cooperation and peaceful coexistence in the region.
At the end, I avail myself of this opportunity to wish success for all the distinguished participants and organizers of this conference. We do hope that in the near future, we will have a chance to have negotiations in a friendly atmosphere, and cooperation and understanding in this region shall replace rivalry and confrontation.
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Monday, October 27
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- Arrival of Participants
- Reception in Honor of Distinguished
Participant, By His Excellency Dr. Diplomatic Club
Mohammadi, Deputy Foreign Minister 19:30-21:30
Tuesday: October 28
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Opening Session: 09:00- 10:15
Chairman: Dr. Manouchehr Mohammadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Education & Research
1) National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran
2) Short welcome by Dr. Rasoul Mousavi, Director General, IPIS
3) Recitation of Holy Quran
4) Conference Report by Dr. Manouchehr Moradi, Director, Center for Central Asia and the Caucasus Studies, IPIS
5) Address by H.E. Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs
First Session: 10:30-12:00
Roots and Dimensions of Confrontation in the Caucasus,
Chairman: Dr. Mehdi Safari, Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe
1) Davlat Osman, Tajikistan
Russian-Western Conflicting Interests: Analyzing the main Reasons for the Crisis in the Caucasus
2) Nukzar Tsklauri Georgia
Roots of the Conflict in the Caucasus: A Georgian Viewpoint
3) Ivan Safranchuk, Russia
Russian Viewpoint on the Roots and Implications of the Conflict in the South Osetia
4) Hamid Moulana, Iran
Russian and Western Mass media and War in Georgia
5) Roy Allison, UK
Russia's Military Intervention in Georgia: Justifications and Objectives
6) Arif Ersoy, Turkey
A New Paradigm for Establishing Peace and Security in the Central Asia and the Caucasian Regions
(Q & A)
Second Session: 14:00-16:00
Positions and Policies of Main Regional and Global Actors in the Caucasus
Chairman: Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi, Deputy for Foreign Policy, Center for Strategic Studies
1) Vladimir Kazimirov, Russia
Crisis in the Caucasus and Russian Policy
2) James Nixey, UK
U.S. Policy towards the South Caucasus
3) Seyed Rasoul Mousavi, Iran
Zionist Regime, War in the Caucasus and Russian Policy in the Middle East
4) Ajay Patnik, India
The US and Security Challenges in the Caucasus
5) Mirioljub Yevtic, Serbia
Christian Fundamentalists and the US-Euroasian Policy
6) Alexei Sherstobaev, Ukrine
Ukraine and Confrontation in the Caucasus
(Q & A)
Third Session 16:15-18:00
Islamic Republic of Iran and the Caucasus: Challenges and Opportunities
Chairman: Dr. Morteza Saffaari, Director-General for CIS Countries, MFA
1) James Walsh, US
The Russia-Georgia Conflict: Consequences and Implications for Iran
2) Abbas Maleki, Iran
Crisis in the Caucasus and Iran's National Interests
3) Ali Najafi, Iran
Confrontation in the Caucasus: Challenges and Opportunities for Iran
4) Anvar Kasymov, Uzbekistan
Iran's Role in the Stability of the Caucasus and the Middle East: Implications for Central Asia
5) Jahangir Karami, Iran
Conflict in the Caucasus: An Iranian Viewpoint
6) Ali Engin Oba, Turkey
Iran and Turkey's common and different Interests in the South Caucasus
(Q & A)
Wednesday: October 29
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Fourth Session: 09:00- 10:30
Regional Cooperation Approach and Prospect for an Enduring Peace and Stability in the Caucasus
Chairman: Dr. Manouchehr Moradi, Director, Center for Central Asia and the Caucasus, IPIS
1) Johanna Papjanevsky, Sweden
The War in Georgia and Beyond: Implications and Prospects for Conflict Resolution in the South Caucasus Region".
2) Georg Sanikidze, Georgia
Understanding the Current Situation in Georgia: Roots and Results of the Conflict
3) Dennis Sammut, UK
A Holistic and Inclusive Multilateral Approach Offers the Best Prospect for Peace, Security and Stability in the South Caucasus
4) David Smith, US
The Russian Federation and the Republic of Georgia: A Geographic Perspective on the Conflict
5) Michele Brunelli, Italy
Identifying Instability Causes to Reach Security in the Caucasus
6) Sergei Shakerian, Armenia
Caucasus 2008: Assessment of the Regional Stability Initiatives
(Q & A)
Fifth Session: 10:45-12:00 Geopolitics and International System after the Conflict in the Caucasus: Views on a New Cold War
Chairman: Dr. Ahmad Sadeghi, Director, Center for American Studies, IPIS
1) Seyed Mohammad Kazem Sajadpour, Iran
International System, United States and Georgian war: Durable Transformation, Strategic Turning Point and Interests
2) Archil Gegshidze, Georgia
The August Crisis: Why |
