"In response to Albanian Foreign Minister's visit to Tehran last year, the visit of the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Albania is on the agenda of the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. And so far, necessary coordination has been done with our embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,� the Iranian Ambassador to Tirana, Gholamhossein Mohammadnia has unveiled, telling Albanian Daily News in an exclusive interview that relevant preparations were underway, and this trip, which is intended by the Iranian officials, would take place at its proper time.
In the meantime, speaking of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the Ambassador revealed that the commemoration conference of the Albanian Prominent poet and literary, Naim Frasheri, will be held in Tehran on March 5th 2018. �The conference as a major cultural event will be dedicated to the celebration of the famous Albanian poet Naim Frasheri, who is a great treasure for the nations of Iran and Albania,� he said, adding that prominent professors and linguists and Iranianologists from Albania as well as some regional countries will attend that cultural event.
In a comment on Iran�s celebration of the 39th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Ambassador said the sapling of the Islamic Revolution has grown into a stable, fruitful tree in the face of four decades of strong storms and successive misfortunes. �The Islamic Revolution succeeded in opening a new chapter based upon people's participation and votes in order to materialize national willpower by establishing a "republic" which is still progressing,� he said. Referring to a wave of anti-government protests a few weeks ago in Iran, the Ambassador said discontent and opposing views are signs of vibrancy and normalcy within any democratic society. The Iranian society is no exception to this rule.
Further on Mr. Mohammadnia said Iran had been loyal to its commitment to the nuclear deal (JCPOA) and tearing up the deal would be costly. �We will under no condition renegotiate the JCPOA. By no means, it is related to any other issue: either the missile program, or the regional issues,� warned the Ambassador in the following interview:

- Mr. Ambassador can you say a few words on the National Day of Iran, its significance for the people of your country and has it lived up to their expectations?
- We celebrate the 39th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran while the sapling of the Islamic Revolution has grown into a stable, fruitful tree in the face of four decades of strong storms and successive misfortunes. A movement aimed at countering domestic despotism and foreign dominance and achieving freedom, justice, and independence, the Islamic Revolution succeeded in opening a new chapter based upon people's participation and votes in order to materialize national willpower by establishing a "republic" which is still progressing.
The paramount achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran include the achievement of genuine political independence and establishment of democracy, which have paved the way for setting considerable records in the pursuit and implementation of the principles of democracy, granting political rights to citizens, maintaining gender equality by increasing women's social participation, preserving the rights of the minorities, scientific growth in various fields of medicine, nanotechnology, and industry, enhancing economic growth, and departing from the petroleum-dependent single-product economy, reducing the share of petroleum in the governmental budget, strengthening the private sector, and supporting domestic and foreign financiers.
At the present time and based upon the global economic indices, Iran is the 18th most effective economy in the world.

- A few weeks ago parts of Iran were scenes of anti-government protests with participants expressing their anger at the worsening living conditions. Which is the message given by that expression of popular dissatisfaction and what has the government done to satisfy the demands of the protesters?
- Discontent and opposing views are signs of vibrancy and normalcy within any democratic society. The Iranian society is no exception to this rule. In Iran�s democratic political structure, the right to protest is recognized and enshrined in the Constitution. This constitutionally-sanctioned principle has always been implemented in the country. As a routine occurrence, always many different groups of individuals, representing various interests, stage protest, demonstrations and sit-ins in front of the Parliament, the Presidency Office, etc. Protests regarding pensions, health services and the like occur on regular basis. Even demonstrations and sit-ins against the Nuclear Deal, which is adopted by the highest-ranking officials and passed by the Parliament, have been a continuous occurrence in different arenas.
The Government of the Islamic republic of Iran tolerated with the protest. The Government has never blocked the path to the peaceful protests. During the last month protests, both Supreme leader and the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran said: "Economic demands should be heard and taken into consideration seriously by the related authorities."
In my opinion, the most important step has been taken so far by the Iranian parliament, considering the next year budget seriously based on the economic demands of the people. Even in a first phase, the overall budget for the next year was not approved by the parliament. My Government is paying more attention to the demands for better life, welfare and livelihood of the Iranian people.
- Mr. Ambassador as you have been part of the Iranian delegation in the talks on the nuclear deal reached in the talks of Iran with P5+1 would you be so kind to share with ADN's readers how do things stand as US pushes for its revision? Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said a few days ago that working groups on fixing what the US sees as flaws in the Iranian nuclear deal had already begun to meet.
- The signing of the nuclear agreement is not only the confirmation of the Islamic Republic of Iran's policies for interaction with the international system, but also serves as a successful example of international interaction and multilateral diplomacy encompassing the interests of all parties and can even serve as a model for resolving other international crises. It should be reiterated that the Islamic Republic of Iran regards adherence to the JCPOA as a necessity for achieving the interests and security of the international community and ensuring the fulfillment of international commitments. Repeated verification by the IAEA has been an undisputable legal confirmation in this regard so far and in addition to continuing its policy of interaction with the international system.
Upon feeling that we have not gained what we should have, and they are not loyal to their Commitments, we ourselves will decide to act according to our interests.
Iran and the international community believed that the deal is beneficial to Iran for selling oil and attracting Investments. Then all Europe and international community would stand behind Iran and Iran has provided them with no pretext; according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has been loyal to all its commitments. Therefore tearing up the JCPOA would be costly. In regards of addition documents to the JCPOA I should say there have been and there will be no talks.
We will under no condition renegotiate the JCPOA. By no means, it is related to any other issue: either the missile program, or the regional issues.
The Europeans have had good stances. Regarding the JCPOA, it was the US that was isolated while the EU, China and Russia supported the deal. Iran�s policy is crystal clear. If the US quits the deal, we will decide according to our own interests. We are ready for any scenario; some scenarios have been designed and for each an action plan has been devised.

- What can you say on the level of the cooperation between the two countries in different fields, and has the official visit of Albania's Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati to Teheran influenced on an improvement of them?
- As I have previously pointed out, the visit of the Albanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Bushati, has had a significant impact on the expansion and deepening of the relations between our countries.
After his visit and so far, significant activities have been undertaken in the field of promotion and expansion our bilateral relations in deferent aspects.

- Mr. Ambassador the cultural cooperation seems to continue and the Saadi Shirazi Foundation is very well known by Albanians, particularly by country�s intellectual circles. What can you say on its achievements as a catalyst to bring closer Albanians and Iranians?
- As you mentioned, the Saadi Shirazi Foundation, with its quarter-century history, has been a significant and constructive cultural presence in Albania. The Foundation has played a significant role to promote the understanding and strengthening the cultural relations between two countries. The Foundation is functioning in the field of the culture, literature, history, art, philosophy and different aspects of the modern and traditional life.
I believe the greatest Achievement of these valuable activities is: "Cultural convergence between the nations of Iran and Albania" The circle of intellectuals includes professors, scholars, logisticians and literalists in Albania and they have been in close contact with the Saadi Shirazi Foundation over the past two decades.
As you know, two months ago, a special ceremony on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Cultural Journal "Perlla" was held by Saadi Shirazi Foundation at the Academy of Sciences of Albania in Tirana. Recently, the seventy-ninth issue of this Journal has been published in Tirana.
Professor Shaban Sinani, the prominent Albanian professor, was honored by the Saadi Foundation for his hard work to serve the Iranian and Albanian common cultural heritage at the conference. The Saadi Shirazi cultural foundation has a significant role in promoting cultural commonalities, which is an effective factor in strengthening the relation between our two nations as well as historical and bilateral relations. The Foundation will continue its activities in this area through coherent planning. We need to provide the necessary support and encouragements.

-Different sources have unveiled that a big activity will be held in Tehran on Albania's Renaissance outstanding writer and patriot Naim Frasheri, who has translated a lot of Persian poems into Albanian. He has also compiled 'The Grammar of Persian Language'. Can you confirm this and will Albanian scholars participate in it?
- I am pleased to announce that the commemoration conference of the Albanian Prominent poet and literary, Naim Farashari will be held in Tehran on March 5th 2018. The conference as a major cultural event will be dedicated to the celebration of the famous Albanian poet who is a great treasure for the nation of Iran & Albania. Some prominent professors and linguists and Iranianologists from Albania as well as some regional countries will attend this cultural event.

- As a coincidence the visit to Teheran of Albania's FM Bushati happened approximately a year before from now. When I had the opportunity to interview Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe and America Majid Takht Ravanchi in Tehran on August 7, 2016, he said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif looked forward to reciprocate the visit of his Albanian counterpart. Are there any plans for such a visit to happen?
- In response to the Albanian Foreign Minister's visit to Iran last year, the visit of the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Albania is on the agenda of the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. And so far, necessary coordination has been done with our embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We believe diplomatic exchanges especially at the ministerial level will have significant implications on bilateral relations. Relevant preparations are underway, and this trip which is intended by the Iranian officials, will take place at its proper time.

-Mr. Ambassador, do you see the lack of an Albanian diplomatic representation in Tehran as handicap for the normal development of the bilateral relations at a time when Iran has its embassy in Tirana since a long time?
- Obviously, the presence of an embassy or any official representation by the Albanian government in Tehran would be important factor in promoting and expanding relations and exchanges between our nations as well.
The official presence of Albanian delegates in Iran will provide you with a great opportunity to introduce your country's identity, culture and society to the Iranian nation as the Albanians deserve.
I personally believe that the nations of Iran and Albania have a lot of valuable things to exchange. The presence and activities of the Albanian embassy in Iran could also provide significant opportunities for trade and business and tourism between our two countries.

- Some years have already passed since Albania has sheltered hundreds of your government's opponents. When unrest gripped Iran a few weeks ago well-known analyst Dritan Hila expressed his opinion in Albanian Daily News that Iranian governors should not be afraid of the Mujahedins as they are at the retirement age being incapable to be airdropped for any subversion actions in Iran. Which is you opinion on the above issue? Does the participation of some Albanian political figures in MEK's activities disturb you?
- The group you mentioned has a dark and strong history of terrorism. We have no concern about the credibility and influence of this terrorist group inside our country, because they are most hated group in Iran.
Participation of a few Albanian political figures in above mentioned activities is against the initial Agreements and encountering with the main reason for allowing them to be in Albania. I have believed that people, who are associated with this Group, should be respecting and considering the laws and practices as well as the interests and expedient of their own country.
But it is important to note that, "terrorism never has a retirement".