Iran Keen On Parliamentary Co-op With Australia

Tehran, Aug 13, IRNA – Head of Iran-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mehdi Kouchakzadeh, said on Monday that Iranian and Australian parliaments can help upgrade bilateral relations in light of political resolve of the two governments. Speaking in a meeting with Australian Ambassador to Tehran Paul Foley, Kouchakzadeh pointed to the important role of parliamentary friendship groups to help bring closer relations among countries and said that Iranian parliamentary friendship group is ready to prepare the ground for expansion of relations with Australia. He said that scientific, cultural and trade cooperation between the two sides would serve as an important step to develop political ties. Underlining independence of countries at international level, he said the big and powerful countries should try to expand constructive engagement with other countries in line with mutual and national interest. Foley for his part said, Government and parliament of Australia welcome expansion of close ties and exchange of parliamentary delegation with the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said cooperation between the two countries in the fields of tourism, commerce, economy, science and culture serve as important ground for expansion of bilateral relations./end