Tehran Times Political Desk

@T= TEHRAN – The Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Chairman Alaeddin Borujerdi held talks here on Tuesday with Fidel Sandgerta, the Spanish Foreign Ministry director for Mediterranean, North African, and Middle Eastern Affairs.
Borujerdi expressed satisfaction over the growing relations between Tehran and Madrid and said the two countries enjoy great potential for expanding relations.
The top lawmaker said parliaments play important role in cementing ties between the two countries and called for closer parliamentary relationship between Iran and Spain.
Elsewhere in his talks, Borujerdi criticized certain European countries for holding talks with insurgents groups in Afghanistan.
“The policy of certain European countries in establishing contacts with extremist groups in Afghanistan will hurt the security and stability of the region,” he noted.
The solution to the current crisis in Afghanistan is to support the government of Afghanistan and training its security forces, Borujerdi suggested.
Turning to Lebanon, the lawmaker said the situation in Lebanon is better in regard to the past and national reconciliation talks between rival Lebanese groups have been very effective in calming the atmosphere in the country.
He also added that “it is necessary that countries avoid interfering in Lebanese internal affairs.”
The Spanish official also expressed his views about regional developments and bilateral relations and insisted on holding such meetings for getting a better understanding of each other’s views and clearing up misunderstandings.
He also called for cooperation between the two countries in fight against drug smuggling and construction efforts in Afghanistan.
“In regard to regional crisis and prevalent condition… cooperation with the Islamic republic of Iran is necessary by all Western countries,” the Spanish official noted.
Spain has about 700 troops deployed in Afghanistan, mostly in Heart.
Madrid ready to expand ties with Tehran
In a separate meeting with the Iranian with Director General for Western Europe Affairs Mostafa Dolatyar on Monday, Sandgerta said Madrid is ready to expand ties with Iran in political, cultural, economic, and trade spheres, IRNA reported.
He said the aim of his visit is continuation of consultations and exchange of views with Iranian officials about issues of mutual interest either bilateral or regional and international.
According to Foreign Ministry media office, the officials discussed current international financial and economic crisis, the U.S. presidential election and its effects on international developments, especially in the Middle East and Persian Gulf regions as well as Iran's nuclear issue.
The Spanish diplomat also conferred with Director General for Persian Gulf and Middle East Department Mohammad Mehdi Firouznia and expressed satisfaction over more consultations with Iran on Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine as well as other subjects related to the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region.