TEHRAN – The Iranian parliament speaker has said that Tehran welcomes all-encompassing ties with Belgium, particularly envisaging a healthier economic picture.

Ali Larijani made the comments on Sunday during a meeting with the Belgian Federal Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Dirk van der Maelen.

“The Islamic Consultative Assembly (the parliament) will support expansion of ties between the two countries in all favorite areas particularly in the economic sector,” he said.  

For the two countries to get to know each other better, Larijani added, stronger parliamentary relations is facilitative.

“More parliamentary relations between Iran and Belgium play an influential part in understanding each other and enhancing friendly cooperation.”

Also, the Belgian official, for his part, said the parliamentary friendship between the two countries over a century and quarter testifies to the two sides’ will to flourish relations.

The Belgium parliament and people do favor more political, cultural, economic, and parliamentary contacts with Iran, he stated.  

Dirk van der Maelen further saw it important for the two countries to discuss first hand issues of mutual interest, particularly regional peace and security in the Middle East region.

AK/PA