TEHRAN(Bazaar) – A professor of political science at the University of Cambridge says “The potential complementarities between the economies of Saudi Arabia and Iran are probably quite extensive, but their immediate opportunities for doing so on any scale must be largely confined to the hydrocarbon sector.”
In an interview with Bazaar, John Dunn in answer to the question Why did Saudi Arabia turn to the extraction and exploitation of gas from Arash/al-Dorra Gas Field, adds “There is ample foreseeable opportunity for exporting liquid natural gas to Europe in place of Russia.”
Following is the full text of the interview:
Bazaar: According to the news, the negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have reached good results, and there is a possibility that the foreign ministries of the two countries will meet in a few days. What is your assessment?
Dunn: Saudi Arabia and Iran as states and countries have much more to gain from cooperating with each other than from trying further to damage each other and it would plainly be greatly to the advantage of most other countries in the region if they chose at all steadily t do the former. It might even eventually be to the advantage of the poor Palestinians.
Bazaar: Why was Saudi Arabia willing to resort to diplomacy with Iran in the current situation, regardless of the outcome of Iran's nuclear talks?
Dunn: I think the same must be true, however implausible it must feel at present to both, for the groupings at present ruling each country. It is extremely damaging in the long run for any ruling group to damage the living standards of most of their population through massive military investment, especially if the groupings in question claim their right to rule on religious grounds and are known in many cases to be going to considerable lengths to protect or enhance their own living standards. It can work for a bit but it is not a viable long term strategy for ruling. The present leaders of Saudi Arabia, China and as I understand it Iran itself have recently shown some awareness of this.
Bazaar: What capacities do the two countries have for economic and trade cooperation?
Dunn: The potential complementarities between the economies of Saudi Arabia and Iran are probably quite extensive, but their immediate opportunities for doing so on any scale must be largely confined to the hydrocarbon sector.
Bazaar: Why did Saudi Arabia turn to the extraction and exploitation of gas from Arash/al-Dorra Gas Field?
Dunn: There is ample foreseeable opportunity for exporting liquid natural gas to Europe in place of Russia.
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