Iran-Austria coop. to help reduce tensions in region

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said Iran and Austria's shared views on many regional issues could help reduce conflict in the Middle East.

He made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Austrian Parliament Vice Speaker Karlheinz Kopf on Sunday.

Larijani, referring to the history of relations between the two countries, said Iran-Austria ties have always been in a good level also growing in economic and business fields after JCPOA.

Pointing to the formation of Parliamentary Friendship Group between Iran and Austria, Larijani said the development of parliamentary relations will play an important role to expand friendly cooperation and Iranian Parliament supports such ties.

Elsewhere in his speech, Larijani noted the recent crises and expressed deep concern about intensifying humanitarian situation in the Middle East. "Iran has always underlined importance of dialogue and political negotiations as the sole way to resolve the humanitarian crises, instead of using military forces," he added.

Larijani described as fruitful the development of friendly relations between the two nations and said, "Iran and Austria enjoy high capacities and capabilities in various fields and can cooperate on economy, energy, science, academic ties, environment and modern technologies."

Karlheinz Kopf, for his part, expressed pleasure with his visit to Iran and said that development of political, economic and parliamentary ties with Iran, as an important country in the region and world, is of great importance for Austria.

He also pointed to Iran's effective role in helping establish security and peace in the Middle East and said cooperation with Iran, with a stabilizing role in the region, could help reduce conflict and restore peace and stability.

Kopf reiterated that parliamentary relations and friendship among MPs of both countries will pave the way for development of cooperation in other sectors.

Kopf arrived in Tehran on Saturday evening at the invitation of Parliament Vice-Speaker Masoud Pezeshkian. He is due to meet with senior Iranian officials during his four-day stay in Iran.