Publish Date: 16 September 2017 - 14:33

TEHRAN, Sep. 16 (MNA) – Iran’s Parl. Speaker Ali Larijani said his Belgian counterpart has voiced keen interest in developing economic ties with Iran regardless of US anti-Iran policies.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani made the remarks in a joint press conference with Belgian Chamber chairman Siegfried Bracke on Saturday in Tehran, adding “our talks focused on six strategic points which have been envisaged in Iran’s Sixth Development Plan, laying the groundwork for absorbing foreign investment. I am glad that our Belgian partners have welcomed the plan.”

Larijani also maintained that the two sides have also conferred on cooperation for settling regional crises, adding “the issue of terrorism is a common concern for both Iran and Belgium, and international cooperation is required to combat and eliminate this scourge.”

According to the Iranian senior official, the two sides also discussed the grievous situation of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar as well as the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Welcoming more talks between the two countries’ parliaments on legal issues, Larijani voiced hope that the visit of his Belgian counterpart would yield positive results in developing parliamentary and economic ties, as well as cooperation for restoring peace to the region.

Belgian Chamber chairman, for his part, expressed his country’s interest in expanding bilateral relations with Iran aimed at economic growth, adding "European countries do not approve of every US policy, and we assure you that we will continue our efforts for expanding economic ties with Iran."

Siegfried Bracke further attached great importance to the opening of the EU office in Tehran, saying “we have reached some good agreements on removing obstacles to banking transactions between the two countries.”

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