YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies hosted Mehdi Sobhani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia. The ambassador delivered a lecture on the topic "Diplomacy and its Functions", which was attended by Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Professor Ruben Melkonyan, Head of the Chair of Iranian Studies, Professor Vardan Voskanyan, lecturers, students and other guests.
R. Melkonyan, Dean of the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, welcomed the attendees, noting that Iran is a friendly country and that the ambassador is a valued guest and a friend of the faculty.
During the lecture, the ambassador provided an in-depth analysis of the role of diplomacy in international relations, its key functions, and its current significance. He also discussed Iranian foreign policy, addressing both regional and international diplomatic challenges. The ambassador spoke about Iran's positions on several key issues in international relations, exploring both their historical context and contemporary foundations.
The ambassador also outlined the key objectives of foreign policy: preserving territorial integrity, ensuring national security, promoting social welfare and economic development, and enhancing the nation's power and authority. He then delved into the elements of national interest that underpin foreign policy, identifying four main types:
Existential interest - an interest whose disruption could lead to the collapse of the country's state system.
Vital interest - interests of long-term importance aimed at ensuring the country's well-being.
Political, economic, and commercial interests - the foundational elements of foreign relations.
Important interests - encompassing civil and consular issues.
In the second part of the meeting, the students had the opportunity to ask questions to the ambassador, who provided comprehensive answers.
