“Iran can obtain International community’s trust” François Nicoullaud

François Nicoullaud served as a diplomat in the ministry of foreign affairs of France between 1964 and 2005. He has been France ambassador to Iran and Hungary, between 2001 and 2005, and France envoy to the UN. During his presence in Iran he played a key role in nuclear talks. After leaving Iran, François Nicoullaud has closely followed Iran issues and has written many articles in the French and international press, thus we have interviewed him regarding the Geneva Talks process.

Avadiplomatics exclusive interview with France former ambassador to Iran, François Nicoullaud

Interview by Mohammadreza Nazari

In your view what is the most important consequence of Geneva Agreement for Iran?

The most important consequence for Iran is obviously the easing of sanctions at least for the next six months. Concerning oil exports, Iran will be able to sell without trouble about one million barrels per day, approximately half of what it used to sell abroad before the sanctions. At a price of about 100 dollars per barrel, this represents the income that Iran used to collect about ten years ago, when the barrel’s price was around 50 dollars. Not too bad, after all…

In what way recent nuclear talks are different from past talks?

The talks carry this time, at long last, a genuine desire from both sides to reach a swift and balanced outcome. On both sides, there is to

day a kind of sanctions’ fatigue. On the Iranian side, the sanctions really hurt the population, and the lifting of sanctions was part of the election platform of President Rouhani. But on the other side, the Western side, people have slowly realized that the sanctions, as much as they hurt the Iranian population, have had only a modest efficiency in impairing the development of the Iranian nuclear program. So, for opposite reasons, but produced by the same phenomenon –the sanctions-, everybody has been incited to negotiate seriously.

What’s your assessment of France’s behavior during negotiations between Iran and 5+1?

It will only be possible to make a final judgment when we can compare the final agreement with the draft modified at French’s demand. Only then will we be able to assess if the amendments introduced by the French were substantial and useful, or not. Apparently, there were some real loopholes in the first draft. If not, the French would not have been able to convince so easily their partners, first the Americans, and even the Russians, the Chinese… to join their position. What remains a mystery for me is why these differences between the Six were not quietly solved at executive level, before the arrival of the foreign ministers to Geneva. Things would not have looked as dramatic!

To what extent do you think Saudi Arabia and Israel had impacted French statesmen’s decision making process regarding Iran?

First, one has to remember that the six nations facing Iran in this negotiation are not negotiating for themselves, but in the name of the international community.  Countries belonging to the same region as Iran are certainly part of this international community, and they have a vested interest in what happens in their own region. It is therefore a duty to listen to their concerns. This does not mean, of course, that the negotiators should adopt the position of such or such country, and, obviously, this has not been the case, be it for France or the other negotiators.

Some experts believe that Saudi Arabia has strived to change France’s stance by means of a $20M military contract, what’s your opinion on this matter?

Between France and countries on the other bank of the Persian Gulf, you can find at any moment half a dozen major contracts in the offing, and one or two are signed every year, be it in the military or in the civilian field. So, experts will always be able to connect French policy to some business interests. And you can apply the same reasoning to other countries…But if fast money were the main drive behind France’s choices, the French should have joined Iran’s side : this is the biggest market in the region, Iran has to catch up in many areas, this is where one will be able to find the best business opportunities once sanctions are lifted!

According to the Geneva agreement, Sanctions on the automobile industry are going to be lifted, do you think it is a kind of a privilege given to France in 5+1 negotiations?

As in the past French car manufacturers had cooperated with Iran.

What was absurd was to impose targeted sanctions on the automotive industry in the name of nuclear non-proliferation. As if you could carry atomic bombs in the trunk of your Peugeot or your Renault! It was simply a common sense decision to lift these sanctions. This gives a chance to all car makers interested in cooperating with Iran. Of course, Peugeot and Renault have developed over the years a strong bond of trust with the Iranian industry and the Iranian public. I dearly hope that this bond will soon be restored and reinforced.

Is Iran’s request to have the right to enrich Uranium within Iran’s borders approved in these agreements?

Not in these precise terms, but through this agreement, the six nations negotiating with Iran, and with them the whole international community, express clearly their readiness to accept and recognize the existence of a major peaceful nuclear program, including enrichment, on Iranian soil. This, of course, when all concerns about this program are alleviated. But I am fully confident that Iran will do it.

What are the effects of this agreement on developments in Mideast?

I firmly believe that positive effects will be felt soon, especially if this first agreement is faithfully implemented by both sides. This will be essential for reaching a comprehensive agreement on the future of the Iranian nuclear program. And I am absolutely convinced that the conclusion of such a final agreement will induce by waves and ripples marvels for peace and prosperity in the Middle East.