{"id":49182,"date":"2025-07-17T00:26:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T00:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=49182"},"modified":"2025-07-17T00:26:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T00:26:17","slug":"iran-uk-academic-policy-cooperation-significant-development-by-the-embassy-and-euro-asia-policy-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/iran-uk-academic-policy-cooperation-significant-development-by-the-embassy-and-euro-asia-policy-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran – UK Academic & Policy Cooperation ! Significant Development by the Embassy and Euro Asia Policy Center"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"London : 16 July 2025 – A significant step towards strengthening academic and policy ties between the UK and Iran was taken during a productive meeting at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The discussions, involving representatives from the EuroAsia Policy Centre (EPC) and H.E. Seyed Ali Mousavi, Iran\u2019s Ambassador to the UK, focused on fostering collaboration between EPC and Iran\u2019s Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS).<\/p>\n

The meeting, attended by EPC representatives Raza Syed and Prof. Shabnam Delfani, alongside the Ambassador and Mr. Ali Matinfar(Counselor In-Charge for Commercial and Economic Affairs) , centred on establishing a framework for academic and policy-oriented dialogue.<\/p>\n

EPC outlined its mission to promote inclusive policy discussions and research collaboration, with a particular emphasis on deepening regional understanding between Europe,Central Asia, Caucasus region and the Middle East.<\/p>\n

Ambassador Mousavi<\/strong> warmly welcomed the initiative, expressing strong support for EPC\u2019s objectives and enthusiasm for closer ties between European and Iranian policy communities.<\/p>\n

He proposed facilitating direct contact between EPC and IPIS in Tehran, offering to make a formal introduction to IPIS leadership to explore avenues for cooperation. Potential areas of collaboration include joint research projects, roundtable discussions, and academic exchanges aimed at addressing shared geopolitical challenges.<\/p>\n

This partnership could become the first sustained academic channel between UK and Iranian institutions since the 2022 diplomatic freeze.<\/p>\n

\"\"As EPC UK\u2019s Raza Syed noted:<\/strong>\u00a0“Knowledge diplomacy builds foundations where politics stumbles. An EPC-IPIS axis creates neutral space for evidence-based solutions.”\u00a0Ambassador Mousavi emphasized the timing:\u00a0“When governments speak past each other, think tanks can keep dialogue alive. This isn\u2019t just academic\u2014it\u2019s diplomatic bridge-building.”<\/p>\n

The proposed partnership between EPC and IPIS is seen as a vital opportunity to enhance bilateral relations between the UK and Iran through scholarly and policy exchange. \u201cThis collaboration could pave the way for meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding, bridging gaps in a complex geopolitical landscape,\u201d said Prof. Shabnam Delfani.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The meeting marks a promising development in fostering institutional ties, with the Ambassador\u2019s support providing a strong foundation for future cooperation. Both sides expressed optimism about the potential for joint initiatives to contribute to academic discourse and policy innovation, strengthening the UK-Iran relationship.<\/p>\n

The initiative aligns with the UK Foreign Office\u2019s 2024 “Knowledge Bridges” strategy promoting academic ties with adversarial states. Success could pave the way for parliamentary exchanges and consular normalization.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pakistan in the World \u2013 June 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n