Iranian, Irish MPs Urge Closer Bilateral Relations


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Head of Iran-Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group Javad Heravi and Chairman of the Irish Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Pat Breen underlined the two parliament's support for closer ties between the two countries.

During the meeting held in Tehran on Saturday, Heravi said all the existing opportunities for the expansion of mutual cooperation between Iran and Ireland should be used through joint planning and efforts.

“The volume of the two countries’ economic, political, and trade relations does not match the two countries’ age-old friendly relations," he added.

He stressed that the expansion of parliamentary relations prepares proper ground for facilitating closer bilateral relations and identifying the appropriate fields for such expansion of ties.

The head of the Irish delegation, too, announced the country's enthusiasm for expanding comprehensive relations with Tehran, particularly in agricultural and commercial fields.

“The Irish parliament is interested in the expansion of friendly and close cooperation with the Iranian Parliament,” Breen said.

Breen further announced the Irish business firms’ enthusiasm for having an active presence in the Iranian markets.

The delegation had earlier met the Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and with Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, who invited the Irish lawmakers to Iran in separate meetings.

The Irish delegation is meanwhile scheduled to meet a number of Iranian cabinet members, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif.

The visit came after several European parliamentary delegations, including a British parliamentary delegation, visited Iran during the past few weeks.