TEHRAN – Iran’s parliament speaker has stressed the valuable opportunities BRICS can bring about for Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after wrapping up a two-day visit to the Persian Gulf country.

“BRICS can create special and valuable opportunities for our country. To make use of these opportunities, we have prioritized trade with the Emirates and had thorough discussions with the President of the country and private economic centers there,” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf explained.

The official who traveled to the UAE at the official invitation of the country’s Federal National Assembly speaker made the remarks upon arriving in Tehran on Friday afternoon. He had various meetings with high-ranking UAE officials, including President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his deputy. 

Ghalibaf also stated that Tehran must preserve and develop its trade with the Arab country as after China, the UAE is Iran’s biggest trade partner. 

“Detailed discussions and negotiations were held in the field of political issues, and we made very good and useful progress in some of the coordination that needed to be done in this regard,” the Parliament speaker announced, adding that a future prisoner swap was also discussed during the meetings.  

This was the first visit by an Iranian parliament speaker to the UAE in over 16 years. 

It was announced in July that the two countries will become full members of the BRICS groups of emerging economies as of January 2024. Four other countries, including Saudi Arabia, are set to join the bloc which currently consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. 

MHA/PA