Senator Joel Garriott–Maylam and Senator Jean-Yves Leconte met with Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of parliament's National Security and National Security Commission on Wednesday, during which they announced the French Senate's readiness to have comprehensive cooperation with the Iranian legislature.
Senator Joel Garriott –Maylam said, “The two countries’ parliaments can regardless of the two governments’ policies strengthen and facilitate the two countries’ relations.”
She also voiced support for the new Iranian government’s international detente policy.
Senator Jean-Yves Leconte, too, for his part emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran plays a constructive and influential role in regional peace and security.
“Iran is a strong and stable country in the region and plays a substantial role in ensuring regional peace and security,” he said.
The two sides meanwhile exchanged ideas on regional and international developments and ways for further strengthening of bilateral ties and cooperation.
Boroujerdi referred to the historical relations between Iran and France, saying, “Relations have been based on good will and they have not been hampered by any negative incident, which is an important factor at the service of strengthening bilateral ties.”
He added, “The Iranian Parliament is fully prepared to throw its weight behind the strengthening of bilateral relations based on mutual respect and promotion of the two nations’ interests.”
The two senior French senators left Paris for Tehran on Tuesday to confer with senior officials here on improvement of bilateral cooperation, ways of resolving regioanl crises, and finding a solution to Iran's nuclear energy program.
The French senators are also due to visit the members of Iran-France Friendship Group.
During their stay in Tehran, the visiting senators are slated to hold talks with the members of the parliaments Judicial and Legal Commission on the latest developments on the international and regional scenes as well as the bilateral ties between Iran and France.
Late in May, former Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Ali Asqar Khaji and French Foreign Ministry Director-General for North Africa and Middle-East Affairs Jean Francois Giroux in a meeting in Tehran discussed bilateral ties and regional developments.
During the meeting in Tehran, Khaji said, Tehran seeks to enhance its cooperation and interaction with the European countries, including France, based on its own diplomatic principles.
Giroux, for his part, underlined the importance of Irans influential role in the regional developments and called for continuation of bilateral talks between Iran and France.
Also on Saturday, a ranking delegation from the European parliament, comprised of three Socialist European lawmakers, headed by Hannes Swoboda, arrived in Tehran for a four-day visit.