Publish Date: 18 October 2009 - 20:45

TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (MNA) -- An Iranian parliamentary delegation headed by Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani arrived in Geneva on Sunday to attend the 121st Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland from October 19 to 21.

One of the most important issues Iran will discuss with other countries in Geneva is South African jurist Richard Goldstone’s recent report on Israel’s crimes in the Gaza war, Larijani told reporters before departing for Switzerland.

 

The IPU was established in 1889. The Union is the focal point for worldwide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and cooperation among peoples and for the firm establishment of democracy.

 

MP Mahdi Sanaii has stated that Larijani’s negotiations on the sidelines of the IPU Assembly will be very significant.

 

The IPU Assembly is an important event and provides an opportunity for Iran to express its views, he told the Mehr News Agency on Sunday.

 

Larijani is an internationally recognized figure and can hold negotiations with officials from other countries on the sidelines of the meeting, and this is very important, Sanaii stated.

 

What is special about the IPU Assembly is the fact that it provides an opportunity for unofficial talks between officials, and therefore it is a good forum for lobbying, he added.

 

SL/HG

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MNA