Iran chairs General Assembly meeting on UN-parliaments interaction

NEW YORK, May 31 (MNA) - The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammad Khazii, chaired a General Assembly meeting on cooperation between the UN, national parliaments, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which was held on Tuesday. Ali Reza Miryousefi, the head of the press office of the mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, delivered a speech at the meeting before the adoption a draft resolution entitled “Interaction between the United Nations, National Parliaments and Inter-Parliamentary Union.” Following are excerpts of his remarks: Considering the current developments in international relations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union faces greater duties and responsibilities. The past cooperation between (the) Inter-Parliamentary Union and (the) United Nations Organization has had significant achievements up until now. There is a need to evaluate and assess the measures already taken by the United Nations Organization and its applications to the National parliaments of member states and to explore the ways and means of enhancing their role in the work of the United Nations in the areas where it is applicable to the national parliaments. There is also a need to identify and explore new areas of cooperation between our Organization and the Union. We would recommend more frequent consultations between the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the UN Secretary General. IPU should not limit its role as observer in the United Nations; rather it should have a direct participation in the relevant activities of the United Nations. The Islamic Republic of Iran has made great efforts in promoting the role of parliaments. It is in this spirit that we fully support the Draft Resolution before us and we are sure that it would help us very much to regulate such contacts and mutual cooperation.