Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 7 September (BelTA) - Belarus and Iran need to develop a roadmap for interparliamentary cooperation, Chairman of the House of Representatives of Belarus’ National Assembly Vladimir Andreichenko said as he met with an Iranian parliamentary delegation in Minsk on 7 September, BelTA has learned.

"The friendship groups need to draw up a roadmap for interparliamentary cooperation between Belarus and Iran," Vladimir Andreichenko said. According to him, the document should reflect the issues of experience exchange, the legal framework, economic development. The relevant commissions and committees should be also involved in this work.

Vladimir Andreichenko believes that the countries need to maintain the well-established relations in trade and investment, and also find new growth points. The 2017 trade figures do not correspond to the potential of the two states. The parliaments should play an important role in the development of bilateral cooperation, Vladimir Andreichenko said. A lot is being done in this respect. The two countries have established the working groups, exchange visits, maintain contacts within the framework of international parliamentary organizations. The National Assembly and the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran have signed a memorandum on cooperation.

However, interparliamentary work should become more systemic, more comprehensive, which is the primary goal of the friendship groups. Vladimir Andreichenko suggested they should meet on a regular basis.

Vladimir Andreichenko also noted that Belarus regards Iran as a key partner in the region and highly appreciates the ties with this country. The interaction is based on mutual trust and respect. This helps strengthen friendship between the peoples and makes a good basis for cooperation promotion.

The Iranian parliamentary delegation is in Belarus on an official visit on 6-8 September. The delegation is headed by Speaker of the Parliament of Iran Ali Larijani.